Magistrate Recommends Statements By Pilot Flying J Employees Stay In Upcoming Trial

A federal magistrate is recommending against throwing out statements two executives made to federal agents when they raided the Knoxville headquarters of Pilot Flying J, the truck stop chain owned by Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and his family. Scott Wombold and Heather Jones are among eight former employees charged with conspiracy to defraud trucking companies out of promised fuel rebates. They argue they weren't informed of their Miranda rights when FBI agents questioned them in 2013. The magistrate says neither defendant was in custody at the time, so Miranda warnings were not required. The trial is scheduled for October. Ten other employees have pleaded guilty. Haslam, a self-described "hands-on" businessman who says he knew nothing about the scheme, has yet to be charged. Haslam is the brother of Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.