From the HDT Archives: Are You on Top of Your Fuel-Buying Program?
3 Former Pilot Flying J Execs Sentenced in Fuel Rebate Fraud
A ‘hypercompetitive’ culture at Pilot Flying J contributed to a fuel-tax-fraud scheme, said one of three more former executives who have been sentenced to jail for their part.

Fleets targeted in the scam expected larger diesel fuel rebates from Pilot Flying J than they actually received.
HDT file photo
Three more former Pilot Flying J executives will spend time behind bars over their roles in in a fraud scheme that cheated trucking companies out of millions of dollars of promised fuel rebates.
"Our culture at the very top was to be hyper-competitive," former executive John "Stick" Freeman told the federal judge, according to a report on Knoxnews.com, admitting that he let it go too far.
Freeman and Brian Mosher were sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, while Vicki Borden received a two-year sentence. Freeman and Mosher must each pay a $100,000 fine, and Borden a $75,000 fine. The judge said he was lenient because the three pleaded guilty early in the case and handed over evidence to prosecutors.
Former Pilot president Mark Hazelwood will spend 12-and-a-half years in prison for overseeing the scheme. A federal jury convicted Hazelwood in February of wire fraud, witness tampering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Mosher, a former regional sales director, testified at Hazelwood’s trial, and got the lightest sentence in exchange.
As Knoxnews reports:
Freeman, Pilot's former vice president of sales, began defrauding trucking companies as early as 2007. He bragged shamelessly about the fraud to bosses, employees and trainees, court records show - including at meetings recorded by an undercover FBI informant.
The fraud case dates back to 2012, when the FBI discovered that Pilot Flying J sales employees were operating a fuel-rebate scam that victimized trucking companies. The trucking companies were promised certain amounts back in rebates, but sales staff would reduce the amount at a later date to increase profits. Because of the complexities of the fuel buying market, most did not realize they were being shorted the promised rebates.
The FBI found that over the course of several years, Pilot Flying J defrauded as many as 5,500 customers of more than $56 million in owed rebates that were not paid.
Nineteen executives and staffers of the truck stop giant have either admitted or been convicted by a jury of participating in the fraud scheme. Fourteen pleaded guilty, three were convicted, and two were granted immunity.
Pilot Flying J’s board of directors has admitted criminal responsibility and paid a settlement for the fraud. Pilot CEO Jimmy Haslam has denied knowledge of the scheme and has never been charged.
More Fuel Smarts

How Volvo Updated Its D13 for EPA 2027 [Watch]
Volvo’s updated D13 promises lower emissions without sacrificing performance or fuel economy. Take a closer look at what changed inside the engine in this HDT Spotlight video.
Read More →
Diesel Price Spike Shortens Payback for Natural Gas Trucks, Report Says
Energy Vision estimates fleets could recover the higher purchase price of an RNG-fueled Class 8 tractor in 1.3 to 2.8 years under current fuel-price scenarios.
Read More →
Calstart Becomes Catalyst Mobility, Reflecting Broader Focus
Calstart is now Catalyst Mobility, reflecting the nonprofit’s growing national role in clean transportation, including zero-emission trucks, infrastructure and incentive programs.
Read More →
Record Diesel Prices Squeeze Trucking Fleets
Average U.S. diesel prices have climbed to nearly $6 a gallon, surpassing the 2022 record as tight refinery capacity and Middle East disruptions keep fuel costs elevated.
Read More →
How Fuel Delivery Shapes Engine Performance
Fuel delivery depends on more than what happens at the injector. For fleet, maintenance and technical professionals, looking at the full path from pump to injector can provide useful context for understanding engine performance.
Read More →
East Coast Port Launches $45M Electric Truck Push
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced millions in incentives for zero-emission drayage trucks, yard tractors, and new charging hubs near the port.
Read More →
California Bill Could Shed Light on Electric Truck Prices
Why do battery-electric Class 8 trucks remain so expensive? A California bill headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom would give fleets and state agencies more visibility into what manufacturers charge.
Read More →
Detroit Opens Orders for EPA 2027 Engines
Detroit isn’t starting from scratch to meet EPA 2027 diesel emissions standards. Its Gen 6 DD13 and DD15 engines keep much of today’s platform while updating the fuel and aftertreatment systems.
Read More →
Zero-Emission Truck Corridor Planned for West Coast
California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Baja California are coordinating plans for truck charging and hydrogen fueling from Canada to Mexico.
Read More →A Closer Look at Kenworth’s Electric T880E Vocational Truck [Video]
Learn more about Kenworth's T880E battery-electric vocational truck at the Paccar Technical Center, including its range, applications, upfitting considerations, and PTO options, in this HDT Spotlight video.
Read More →

