Date and Location Set for Pilot Fuel Rebate Fraud Trial
A date and location have been set for the trial of former Pilot Flying J executives in a fuel rebate scandal alleging a conspiracy and scheme to defraud customers.

Fleets were allegedly bilked out of rebates, prosecutors say. Photo: Jim Park

A date and location have been set for the trial of former Pilot Flying J executives in a fuel rebate scandal alleging a conspiracy and scheme to defraud customers, according to a report in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Prosecutors and defendant lawyers agreed to hold the trial in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Halloween of this year. However, a district judge is reportedly exploring moving the trial farther away from Pilot’s headquarters in Knoxville.
Ex-Pilot Flying J president Mark Hazelwood and seven other company executives are being accused of defrauding customers of millions of dollars by cutting the amount of rebates they received for buying certain amounts of fuel. Pilot owner and CEO Jimmy Haslam was not among those indicted in the case and he has denied any knowledge of the fuel rebate scheme.
Federal investigators found that Pilot promised fuel rebates to trucking customers but never actually paid them out, defrauding the 5,500 customers of more than $56 million. In 2014, the company reached a $92 million settlement with authorities and promised to help with the ongoing investigation. Pilot also settled with trucking customers that sued the company for $87 million.
In addition to fraud charges, Hazelwood has also been charged with witness tampering, and former vice president of direct sales Scott Wombold has been charged with lying to agents with the FBI and IRS. Ten former Pilot employees have already pleaded guilty to the scheme.
More Fuel Smarts

Lessons Learned About Alternative Fuels: Start Small, Stay Flexible
Practical advice on adopting alternative fuels and ZEVs from HDT's 2026 Top Green Fleets, from renewable diesel and natural gas to electric trucks.
Read More →
Kempower Adds Flex EV Charger to Help Support Transition to Megawatt Charging
The Kempower Mega Satellite Flex has both a CCS and MCS connector, allowing operators to serve both types of heavy-duty vehicles.
Read More →
Hino Adds Electric Class 6/7 Truck
Hino says the Le Series is an important step in the company's efforts to reduce environmental impact and support its customers’ sustainability goals.
Read More →
Can Multi-Speed EV Transmissions Solve Heavy Trucking’s Biggest Electric-Vehicle Problems?
A startup called Sigma Powertrain believes purpose-built multi-speed gearboxes can boost efficiency, reduce battery size and improve gradeability for heavy-duty battery-electric trucks.
Read More →
Hendrickson Debuts Electraax E-Axle for Medium-Duty Trucks
Developed with Driventic, Hendrickson's new integrated e-axle is designed to improve efficiency, reduce weight, and extend range in Class 6-7 EV applications.
Read More →
50 Ways Fleets Can Cut Fuel Costs Now — Without Buying New Trucks
Fuel savings don’t come from one big change. They come from dozens of small ones. Here’s how leading fleets are stacking gains across drivers, routing, maintenance, and more.
Read More →
Top Green Fleets 2026: How Fleets Are Reducing Emissions in the Real World
What works in sustainable trucking today? Heavy Duty Trucking's Top Green Fleets are finding practical ways to cut fuel use, reduce emissions, and keep freight moving.
Read More →
California Launching $1 Billion Electric Truck Rebate Program
CARB says the California Clean Fuel Reward program will begin offering point-of-sale rebates of up to $120,000 for electric commercial trucks starting June 26.
Read More →
Mack Unveils EPA 2027-Compliant MP13 Engine With More Power, Better Fuel Economy
Along with unveiling its EPA 2027-compliant MP13 engine, Mack outlined powertrain changes across its Class 6-8 lineup, including new Cummins-based X10 engines.
Read More →
How Volvo’s New D13 Engine Meets EPA 2027 Emissions Without Sacrificing Power or Fuel Efficiency
Volvo says advances in combustion and aftertreatment helped its new EPA 2027 D13 engine avoid the fuel-economy penalties many once expected from tighter NOx emissions limits.
Read More →
