Government, Business, Fuel, TCA

Pilot Flying J's Ex-President Mark Hazelwood Found Guilty of Conspiracy in Fraud Trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A jury on Feb. 15 found former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood and account representative Heather Jones guilty of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. Former employees Scott Wombold and Karen Mann were found not guilty of conspiracy.

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
February 15, 2018
Business, Fuel

No Verdict Yet in Pilot Flying J Fraud Trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - After more than three days of deliberations, a jury deciding the fate of the former president of the nation’s largest diesel fuel retailer and three subordinates in a plot to rip off truckers still had not reached a verdict Feb. 14.

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
February 14, 2018
Business, Fuel, TCA

Former Pilot Flying J Sales Exec Ordered Up Fraud 'Manual'

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – It was getting tough to keep up with the cheating, and getting caught had proven expensive for the nation’s largest diesel fuel retailer. But Pilot Flying J sales executive Arnie Ralenkotter had a solution: A fraud “manual.”

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
February 12, 2018
Business, Fuel

Prosecutor Takes on Defense in Pilot Flying J Fraud Trial; No Verdict Yet

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Jurors in whose hands rest the fate of the former president of the nation’s largest diesel fuel retailer and three subordinates went home Feb. 7 after nearly four hours of deliberations and no verdict.

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
February 8, 2018
Government, Business, Fuel, TCA

Hazelwood Attorney Says Feds Are Making a Crime out of Civil Fraud

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The former president of Pilot Flying J took on the federal government Feb. 6, accusing prosecutors of ginning up a criminal case out of a civil fraud, and making a deal with the devil to do it.

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
February 7, 2018
Business, Fuel, TCA

Prosecutor: Former Pilot Flying J President Approved of and Planned to Expand Fraud Scheme

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood didn’t merely know his sales division was “infected” with a greedy plot to deceive and defraud trucking companies. He promoted the chief architect of the plot and made plans to grow the scheme, a federal prosecutor told jurors Feb. 5.

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
February 6, 2018
Business, Fuel, TCA

Four Defendants and a Cache of Questions Face Jury in Pilot Flying J Fraud Trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - In a trial that exposed an underbelly of greed, fierce competition, thievery and even racism within a division of the nation’s largest diesel fuel retailer, jurors now face a slew of questions as the case comes to a close.

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
February 5, 2018
Business, Fuel, TCA

Ex-President of Pilot Flying J Won’t Testify or Summon Witnesses in Ongoing Fraud Trial

As federal prosecutors wrapped up their case against him Jan. 31, former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood opted not to testify or present witnesses on his own behalf.

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
February 2, 2018
Business, Fuel, TCA

Jurors in Ongoing Pilot Flying J Fraud Trial Hear Tales of Betrayal, Deceit

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A tearful Sherry Blake told jurors Jan. 29 she feels like a woman “betrayed” by the former boss who had considered her more like a “work wife” than an executive assistant: former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood.

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
January 30, 2018
Business, Fuel, TCA

Pilot Flying J Sales Executive Testifies He Complained to Firm’s President About Fraud

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - When former Pilot Flying J sales executive Dan Peyton learned a trucking company had been defrauded by his colleagues, he told jurors Jan. 18 he dialed up the truck stop giant’s then-president.

Jamie Satterfield | Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
January 19, 2018