Nearly five years after Pilot Flying J headquarters was raided by federal investigators, we may finally have some closure in the case involving the company whose CEO is Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.
On Thursday, three former Pilot employees, including ex-President Mark Hazelwood, were found guilty for their roles in the fuel rebate scheme. They were accused in a five-year plot within the direct sales division of Pilot Flying J to use promises of hefty diesel fuel discounts to lure trucking firms to do business with the truck stop giant and then shorting those firms on what they were promised.
Haslam has denied knowledge of the fraud scheme and is not charged.
Can Browns fans finally breathe a sigh of relief now that this case is over? Jim Donovan and I discussed what's next for Jimmy Haslam, his company, and his football team on the Donovan Live Postgame Show.
Another off-the-field legal battle was resolved on Thursday indirectly involving the Browns. Quarterback AJ McCarron won his arbitration case against the Cincinnati Bengals. Because of the victory in the grievance, McCarron will be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year starts in mid-March.
It's hard to imagine that Hue Jackson's former pupil won't wind up with the Browns. It makes too much sense. Heck, they SHOULD have had him at last year's trading deadline.
Does this McCarron news mean that the Browns won't pursue fellow free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins? Jimmy and I try to figure out how the Browns will maneuver their way though the first few days of free agency.
Watch the Donovan Live Postgame Show in the player above