The fate of about a dozen lawsuits against Pilot Flying J now rests in the hands of a panel of federal judges in Maine.

The case before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in Maine is considering a request on whether to consolidate all the lawsuits into one that charge the truckstop chain cheated trucking customers out of rebates and discounts on fuel purchases in order to increase company profits.

A little more than a week ago Pilot Flying J reached a class-action settlement with eight companies following litigation that was filed against it after the FBI raided the Tennessee headquarters of Pilot Flying J on April 15 as part of an investigation it was cheating customers.

It agreed to pay customers all of what they are owned, plus interest along with attorney’s fees. The settlement covers any company that feels they were wronged by Pilot Flying J, going back to the first of 2005. Those who do not wish to be a part of the settlement have until Oct. 15 to opt out.

Some who are not directly part of the settlement have complained they were never given a chance to join the settlement or review details of it before it received initial approval. A final hearing on its approval is set for Nov. 25 in Arkansas.

Since the April raid nine employees have been fired or placed on administrative leave while five have pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for their roles.

All along Pilot Flying J and CEO Jimmy Haslam have denied any wrongdoing, including in the settlement.

Haslam is also the owner the NFL football team the Cleveland Browns. A few days ago at the opening of the team’s training camp, Haslam said he was “very optimistic” about the federal investigation into the company.

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Class Action Settlement Reached Over Pilot Flying J Lawsuits