One of Tennessee's most powerful families, the Haslams own 67% of Knoxville-based $31 billion (sales) Pilot Flying J and one of the founder's sons, Bill, is governor of Tennessee. James Haslam II founded Pilot Travel Centers in 1958 and merged the company with Flying J in 2001. In 2013 the company was accused of defrauding trucking companies out of promised fuel rebates. Pilot settled a class-action lawsuit brought by customers in November 2013 and with the Department of Justice in July 2014. The company agreed to pay a $92 million penalty to the government in order to avoid prosecution. In April 2015, Pilot settled with 4 trucking companies not part of the class-action settlement. CEO Jimmy Haslam, the founder's oldest son, has denied any knowledge of the rebate fraud scheme. In 2012 the family (excluding Gov. Bill Haslam) bought the Cleveland Browns football team for a reported $1 billion. Daughter Ann Haslam Bailey has no role at the company.
Forbes article...2015 so decide for yourself who to trust.
Berkshire Hathaway Settles Valuation Dispute With Pilot
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