Settlement of $84.9 million to end class action lawsuit.
A federal judge in Arkansas has approved an $84.9 million class action settlement of fraud claims against Pilot Flying J, Cleveland Online reported.
The settlement breakdown:
• $56.5 million to pay trucking companies the fuel rebates and discounts they were allegedly shorted
• $9.75 million in interest on the money due, at a rate of 6%
• $14 million in attorney fees
• $4.5 million in audit costs
The settlement resolves the majority of civil claims against Haslam’s family-owned chain of service station plazas.
As of Friday, there were 146 companies opting out of the settlement, out of a class of about 5,500 members, according to Cleveland Online. Some of those companies are pursing separate lawsuits against Pilot.
There remains an ongoing federal criminal investigation into allegations that a group of Pilot employees systematically defrauded customers. Seven employees have entered guilty pleas and two others are cooperating with prosecutors.
“The settlement is fair in light of the substantial risk and burden on the plaintiffs had they been forced to litigate the case,” Pilot said in a statement.
