In a development that is catching plenty of attention but has implications that aren’t immediately clear, the billion-dollar truck-stop company owned by Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has parted ways with president Mark Hazelwood.
Per multiple reports, Pilot Flying J employees were informed of the move on Monday via internal memo.
It’s possible (emphasis on “possible”) that Hazelwood has left the company in advance of the announcement of a plea bargain with federal officials. Hazelwood is the highest-ranking employee of the company whose voice was captured on microphone by an informant who worked with federal officials to compile incriminating evidence.
Since an out-of-the-blue raid of company facilities in April 2013, the federal government has procedure multiple guilty pleas from Pilot Flying J employees. Each have agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Hazelwood becomes the latest key employee who has departed a company run by Haslam in the last two years. It remains to be seen whether the door keeps revolving at a high rate of speed at either or both of his companies.