Browns Owner and Pilot Flying J CEO JIMMY HASLAM III yesterday announced that Pilot Flying J had “put an undisclosed number of sales staffers on administrative leave and planned to hire an outside investigator with U.S. Justice Department experience to conduct an independent review,” according to Rau & Roche of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. The move comes “one week after federal agents raided” the company’s Knoxville HQs. Haslam said of the fraud allegations against Pilot Flying J, “We make mistakes like any company does but there is absolutely no excuse for that kind of behavior. I don’t think I’ve ever been as embarrassed as I have been since I read the affidavit.” Haslam “outlined the company’s immediate response though he was careful to say he did not know yet whether the allegations were true.” He said, “I more than anyone understand the damage to relationships.” Haslam added that Pilot Flying J eight days ago “had the best relationships in the trucking industry with customers.” Haslam: “We now have the worst. I understand that. We went to work Saturday to try to rebuild those relationships. We’re approaching it very humbly, hat in hand” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/23). Haslam “unveiled five steps Pilot is taking in response to the federal fraud investigation” (USA TODAY, 4/23).
