NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with the Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on Tuesday to discuss the FBI's fraud investigation into Pilot Flying J. Goodell spoke in front of reporters at a pre-draft event Wednesday, though he didn't mention many details about his meeting with Haslam. He did defend the Browns' owner when asked if he is concerned about the investigation, however.
Jimmy Haslam met with Roger Goodell about FBI investigation
Roger Goodell and the NFL are well aware of the FBI’s investigation into Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, after being looped out of the investigation initially.
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
“Well, of course, when you have that type of thing, but I’ve spoken with Jimmy several times and met with him,” Goodell said. “Jimmy is doing everything he’s asked. He’s cooperating. He wants to make sure that he is doing all of the right things in that regard and he has assured us that he is going to.”
Haslam is the president of Pilot Flying J, a travel center company currently being investigated for defrauding trucking companies by withholding rebates and discounts. Court documents allege that Haslam knew about the fraud. Haslam maintains that he has done nothing wrong, though in a press conference Tuesday he took on a more contrite tone. Pilot Flying J has already hired a third-party investigator to look into the allegations.
The NFL has largely been kept in the dark despite the potential ramifications the investigation could have for one of its teams. Goodell supported the job that the FBI has done so far.
“It’s an investigation and it was held very tightly by the FBI and the authorities,” Goodell said. “They didn’t share this information with us and they shouldn’t. That’s something that is their prerogative.”
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