Pilot Flying J ex-pres wants Christmas at home before prison

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The former president of the largest U.S. fuel retailer wants to spend the winter holidays at home before reporting to prison for his role in a scheme to defraud trucking companies.

A federal judge had previously granted Mark Hazelwood’s request to postpone reporting to prison for his 12 1/2-year sentence until after Thanksgiving. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the 59-year-old’s lawyers argued in a motion filed last week that he should be granted Christmas and New Year’s Day, too. Two other former Pilot Flying J employees have until Jan. 7 to surrender.

Federal prosecutors haven’t indicated whether they’ll oppose the delay.

Pilot Flying J is controlled by the family of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. The Haslams haven’t been charged with wrongdoing.

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Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com