Haslam's Testimony Supports Berkshire's Bribery Claims, Says Lawyer

Federal prosecutors begin investigation amid ongoing dispute over Pilot truck stop chain's future.

Deposition testimony from billionaire Jimmy Haslam supports claims by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathway that Haslam tried to bribe employees at the Pilot truck stop chain amid a dispute with Berkshire over the future of the company.
In a deposition, Haslam denied offering a “side payment” to Pilot Travel Centers controller David Clothier if the Haslam family exercises its right to sell its remaining 20% stake in PTC to Berkshire.
Haslam testified that he has an informal agreement with two dozen PTC employees to reinstate their lucrative executive bonus plan if the Haslams sell their stake in the company.
Federal prosecutors had begun an investigation based on Berkshire’s bribery allegations.
Under an investor rights agreement with Berkshire, the Haslam family, which includes former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, have an annual option, starting Jan. 1, 2024, to sell their remaining interest in PTC to Berkshire.