Quote:
Originally Posted by brobox
That is 100% true. I have a friend that is the truck driver. When he drove for the big companies it was fleet price at the big 3's.
Another fact, you can see an independent truck stop, usually a Shell at $.20-30 cents a gallon less.
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the real reason big truck stops charge higher prices!
Rebate fraud allegation
Pilot Flying J Chairman/CEO Jimmy Haslam
On April 15, 2013, the headquarters of Pilot Flying J, located in West Knoxville, Tennessee, was raided by FBI and IRS agents as part of an "ongoing investigation". On April 16, CEO Jimmy Haslam reported the investigation involved claims of failure to pay rebates to trucking customers.[18]
On April 18, 2013, three days after the FBI/IRS raid on Pilot Flying J headquarters, an affidavit used to secure various search warrants was made public. The documents alleged that several members of the Pilot Flying J sales force, as well as company president Mark Hazelwood and CEO Jimmy Haslam, were either involved or aware of the alleged scheme.[19][20] Three sales employees' private homes were also raided as part of the investigation.[21]
On Saturday, April 20, 2013, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Hazelhurst, Georgia-based trucking company Atlantic Coast Carriers Inc. sued Pilot Flying J. According to the newspaper, the lawsuit, filed in Knox County Circuit Court, alleges that "Pilot Flying J has 'adopted ... and benefitted from inaccurate rebate procedures for certain clients, including Atlantic Coast. Pilot regularly understated the amount owed to Atlantic Coast and other similar companies, promised by Pilot sales representatives as a rebate for purchase of their fuel.' " Atlantic Coast Carriers is also seeking class action status for the lawsuit.[22]
On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, Ashley Judd and Arnold "Arnie" Ralenkotter became the first Pilot Flying J employees to plead guilty in the fuel rebate case. Judd, a direct sales representative, and Ralenkotter, a regional sales director, agreed to cooperate in the criminal case.[23]
On Monday, June 18, 2013, three Pilot Flying J employees pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud — bringing to five the total of Pilot workers who have admitted to helping cheat trucking customers out of promised fuel discounts and rebates.[24]
On Tuesday, July 16, 2013, a federal judge in Arkansas granted preliminary approval to a proposed settlement agreement between Pilot Flying J and several trucking companies that had sued over allegations of fuel rebate fraud. A company attorney estimated the settlement could cost $35 million.[25]
Linear Mode
