Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam has reluctantly agreed to answer the hard questions about his knowledge of the company’s scheme to cheat truckers out of promised fuel rebates — but he has certain conditions that he says must be met before he’ll allow himself to be deposed.
Haslam Denies Knowledge Of Fuel Rebate Fraud
Haslam is being sued by Wright Transportation and other trucking companies for his role in the fraud scheme, but he has consistently denied any knowledge of it. Lawyers for Wright Transportation say that information gathered by the FBI is sufficient to prove that Haslam was aware of the scheme.
Lawyers: Haslam Can Only Be Deposed Under Certain Conditions
Haslam’s lawyers called the request for his deposition “gamesmanship”, but say that Haslam could be available for a deposition under the right circumstances.
Haslam’s lawyers say that he is only available for a single seven hour day of deposition and that all of the remaining plaintiffs must coordinate to share that deposition time. Further, Haslam is “not available” for the original date that an Alabama judge ordered his deposition — May 11.
Haslam’s attorneys say that they should not move forward with choosing a deposition date until 60 days after the 11th Circuit appeal of the Alabama federal court rules on whether the case should be tried in a state or federal court. That appeal has been scheduled for July 12.
Depositions Means Haslam Must Face “Hard Questions” Under Oath
An attorney for Wright Transportation said of deposing Haslam, “He’s never, ever had to sit under oath live and answer the hard questions about his knowledge and his participation with regard to the fraud.”