FBI and IRS agents raided the Knoxville, Tenn., headquarters of truck-stop operator Pilot Flying J Travel Centers on Monday, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.
An FBI official told the paper that agents arrived with a search warrant as part of an ongoing investigation, but declined to provide specifics.
“The FBI secured our headquarters today and informed us they are investigating Pilot Flying J,” CEO Jimmy Haslam said in an e-mailed statement late Monday, the News Sentinel reported.
“We will cooperate appropriately with any and all external investigations and conduct our own. I believe and trust there has been no wrongdoing. The integrity of our company always has been job number one,” he said.
Pilot Flying J, which operates one of the largest travel center networks in North America, was founded more than 50 years ago by Jim Haslam, the father of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who was once president of the company, the newspaper said.
Jimmy Haslam stepped down as CEO last year after buying a majority ownership of the Cleveland Browns football team. He returned to the position in February, the News Sentinel reported.
