The former Pilot Flying J president convicted of fraud will get to spend Christmas at home.
An appeals court Tuesday approved 59-year-old Mark Hazelwood's request to remain on house arrest until he finishes fighting his conviction. Hazelwood was convicted in February of cheating trucking companies out of millions of dollars in promised fuel rebates. He was set to start a 12 1/2-year prison sentence this month. Hazelwood's attorneys argue his taped racist remarks prejudiced the jury. The appeals court ruled the argument "raises a substantial question" to be sorted out on appeal. Pilot Flying J is a truck stop chain owned by the family of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. Neither have been charged with wrongdoing. Jimmy Haslam is exploring the purchase of Columbus Crew SC.
