Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Four Former Pilot Executives Plead Guilty to Rebate Fraud

John Freeman, former sales VP of Pilot Flying J, has pleaded guilty alongside three other former Pilot employees of mail fraud and wire fraud after the FBI found that Pilot defrauded 5,500 customers of over $56 million.

by Staff
September 22, 2017
Four Former Pilot Executives Plead Guilty to Rebate Fraud

Four former Pilot employees pleaded guilty to mail fraud and wire fraud. Photo: Evan Lockridge

2 min to read


Four former Pilot employees pleaded guilty to mail fraud and wire fraud. Photo: Evan Lockridge

John Freeman, former sales VP of Pilot Flying J, pleaded guilty alongside three other former Pilot employees of mail fraud and wire fraud, making millions of dollars through fraudulent diesel rebates, reports the Knoxville News Sentinel.

The other individuals who plead guilty include former Pilot Regional Sales Manager John Spiewak, former Pilot Director of Inside Sales Vicki Borden, and former Regional Sales Representative Katy Bibee, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Ad Loading...

Freeman came up with the plan to give trucking customers one diesel rebate, while surruptitiously charging them a different price, according to published reports. Spiewak oversaw the rebate contracts, while Borden monitored profits from the fraudulent rebates. Bibee negotiated the rebates with customers, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. An investigation by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service found that the plan to commit fraud began as early as 2008, and possibly earlier.

In October, former President Mark Hazelwood, former VP of National Sales Scott Wombold, and former regional sales representatives Heather Jones and Karen Mann will stand trial in Chatanooga, Tennessee. The guilty pleas open the possibility of Freeman, Spiewak, Borden, and Bibee testifying at October's trial, alongside 10 other former employees who also pleaded guilty, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

The FBI found that Pilot defrauded 5,500 customers of over $56 million. Pilot reached a settlement with authorities and customers in 2014 for $92 million and $87 million, respectively.

More Drivers

SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
DriversJanuary 23, 2026

What FMCSA’s New Enforcement Push Means for Fleets in 2026 [Podcast]

Listen as transportation attorney and TruckSafe Consulting President Brandon Wiseman joins the HDT Talks Trucking podcast to unpack the “regulatory turbulence” of last year and what it means for trucking fleets in 2026.

Read More →
DriversJanuary 20, 2026

How Pilot Is Using AI in Truck Maintenance

A practical look at how artificial intelligence is helping Pilot's trucking fleet move from reactive maintenance to a more proactive approach.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Safety, uptime, and insurance costs directly impact profitability. This eBook looks at how fleet software is evolving to deliver real ROI through proactive maintenance, AI-powered video telematics, and real-time driver coaching. Learn how fleets are reducing crashes, defending claims, and using integrated data to make smarter operational decisions.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

Basic Tracking vs Next Generation Fleet Technology

Fleet software is getting more sophisticated and effective than ever, tying big data models together to transform maintenance, safety, and the value of your existing tech stack. Fleet technology upgrades are undoubtedly an investment, but updated technology can offer a much higher return. Read how upgrading your fleet technology can increase the return on your investment.

Read More →
Graphic showing smart truck parking technology with a highway sign reading “Spaces Available” and the Streetline logo.
Driversby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 16, 2026

Streetline Expands Smart Truck Parking System on West Coast

Streetline is expanding smart truck parking tools, including a new I-5 deployment in Washington and a no-upfront-cost pilot model for state DOTs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Truck parked at night
Driversby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 15, 2026

Third 'Jason's Law' Truck Parking Survey Under Way

The Federal Highway Administration is asking motor carriers and truck drivers to give input on where and when drivers have difficulty finding truck parking, and on how drivers prefer to get information on available parking.

Read More →
Driversby StaffJanuary 8, 2026

FMCSA Continues Focus on State Issuance of Non-Domiciled CDLs

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration continues a crackdown on an increasing number of states it says have been issuing non-domiciled CDLs improperly.

Read More →
Driversby Deborah LockridgeDecember 30, 2025

Will FMCSA’s Driver-Oriented Enforcement Initiatives Affect Capacity?

The Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration took several actions in 2025 to tighten enforcement of regulations for commercial drivers. Will those affect trucking capacity in 2026?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Driversby Deborah LockridgeDecember 15, 2025

Q&A: Lisa Kelly Explains Ice Road Trucking, Reality TV Editing, and Life as a Female Driver

Lisa Kelly talks to HDT about the return of the show Ice Road Truckers, what really happens on the ice roads, how reality TV shapes drivers’ stories, and the career she’s built beyond the show.

Read More →