Football Browns owner Jimmy Haslam's business raided by FBI/IRS

**cdcox** · 04-15-2013, 04:05 PM

FBI, IRS raid Pilot Flying J HQs; company 'cooperating fully'
By Carly Harrington

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/ap...-headquarters/

KNOXVILLE — The FBI and IRS locked down Pilot Flying J headquarters in West Knoxville today while executing a search warrant.

FBI Supervisory Special Agent Marshall Stone said that FBI and IRS agents arrived at the corporate headquarters on Lonas Road this afternoon as part of a “ongoing investigation.”

Stone declined to provide specifics of the raid.

“The FBI secured our headquarters today and informed us they are investigating Pilot Flying J,” Pilot CEO Jimmy Haslam said in an email statement this afternoon.

“We will cooperate appropriately with any and all external investigations and conduct our own. I believe and trust there has been no wrongdoing. The integrity of our company always has been job number one.”

Pilot Food Marts, Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J Travel Plazas remain open, according to a statement from Pilot spokeswoman Lauren Christ of Moxley Carmichael public relations firm.

“At this time, we do not know the nature of the situation,” according to the statement. “Pilot Flying J is cooperating fully with the authorities.

“Pilot Flying J is confident that the matter will be resolved fully.”

The Knoxville Police Department provided officers in support of the raid.

“All I can say is that the FBI asked us to have some officers assist them with a search warrant,” Police Chief David Rausch said.

Raush said he was not informed in advance where the search was to be and did not know until the officers radioed in from the scene.

Media were barred from the Pilot campus and the entrance was blocked. Pilot employees were escorted off the corporate campus on Lonas Road.

Two men were seen exiting the Pilot data center, 1339 E. Weisgarber Road, this afternoon. One was wearing an FBI windbreaker and the other was carrying a backpack.

Knoxville-based Pilot is the operator of the largest travel center network in North America.

The company was founded more than 50 years ago by Jim Haslam, the father of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, and is run by his eldest son, Jimmy Haslam, who bought a majority ownership of the Cleveland Browns of the NFL last year.

More details as they develop online and in Tuesday’s News Sentinel.

04-15-2013, 04:05 PM	Topic Starter
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2261769	Browns owner Jimmy Haslam's business raided by FBI/IRS FBI, IRS raid Pilot Flying J HQs; company 'cooperating fully' By Carly Harrington http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/ap...-headquarters/ KNOXVILLE — The FBI and IRS locked down Pilot Flying J headquarters in West Knoxville today while executing a search warrant. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Marshall Stone said that FBI and IRS agents arrived at the corporate headquarters on Lonas Road this afternoon as part of a “ongoing investigation.” Stone declined to provide specifics of the raid. “The FBI secured our headquarters today and informed us they are investigating Pilot Flying J,” Pilot CEO Jimmy Haslam said in an email statement this afternoon. “We will cooperate appropriately with any and all external investigations and conduct our own. I believe and trust there has been no wrongdoing. The integrity of our company always has been job number one.” Pilot Food Marts, Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J Travel Plazas remain open, according to a statement from Pilot spokeswoman Lauren Christ of Moxley Carmichael public relations firm. “At this time, we do not know the nature of the situation,” according to the statement. “Pilot Flying J is cooperating fully with the authorities. “Pilot Flying J is confident that the matter will be resolved fully.” The Knoxville Police Department provided officers in support of the raid. “All I can say is that the FBI asked us to have some officers assist them with a search warrant,” Police Chief David Rausch said. Raush said he was not informed in advance where the search was to be and did not know until the officers radioed in from the scene. Media were barred from the Pilot campus and the entrance was blocked. Pilot employees were escorted off the corporate campus on Lonas Road. Two men were seen exiting the Pilot data center, 1339 E. Weisgarber Road, this afternoon. One was wearing an FBI windbreaker and the other was carrying a backpack. Knoxville-based Pilot is the operator of the largest travel center network in North America. The company was founded more than 50 years ago by Jim Haslam, the father of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, and is run by his eldest son, Jimmy Haslam, who bought a majority ownership of the Cleveland Browns of the NFL last year. More details as they develop online and in Tuesday’s News Sentinel.
Posts: 45,543