LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Nov. 25 (UPI) -- A judge in Little Rock, Ark., has approved an $85 million settlement of lawsuits alleging the truck stop chain Pilot Flying J cheated trucking firms.
U.S. District Judge James M. Moody approved the package of proposed settlements Monday at a hearing.
The deal settles most of the suits filed against Pilot Flying J outlined in a 120-page affidavit filed by the FBI after federal agents raided the firm's Knoxville, Tenn., headquarters, in April. The affidavit describes a scheme by pilot's top sales executives to secretly reduce rebates promised to trucking firms.
Michael Roberts, an attorney representing truckers who have agreed to settle their claims against the company, said the total payout of about $85 million includes $56.5 million going to the truckers, plus $9.75 million in interest payments.
The agreement also includes $14 million in legal fees, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported Monday.
Following the court hearing, Pilot attorney Aubrey Harwell said CEO James Halsam had no knowledge of the the scheme to reduce rebates.
Seven Pilot executives have entered guilty pleas to mail and wire fraud charges. They are now awaiting sentencing.
