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5 Things to Know: Pilot Flying J fraud trial coming to a close

The Pilot Flying J fraud trial for the former president and three former sales employees started in early November. The jury should get the case by Wednesday, but don't look for verdicts until mid February.

Closing arguments are set to start Monday afternoon in the fraud trial of Pilot Flying J's former president and three former sales team employees.

After more than three months of testimony, it's a sign the trial is close to ending.

Arguments by government prosecutors and lawyers for the four defendants will take up two days. Jurors are expected to begin deliberations Wednesday.

Related: Trial ready for deliberations

More: Judge denies bid for mistrial

Here are five things to know as the case comes to a close:

The evidence varies depending on the defendant: The government accuses all four defendants of taking part in a scam to rip off some diesel fuel customers of promised rebates. Much of the strongest evidence appears to have been introduced against Mark Hazelwood, the former president, and Scott Wombold, a former Pilot Flying J vice president. Evidence included financial records, the testimony of former sales employees, emails, and secret recordings. Evidence against Heather Jones and Karen Mann included emails in which they conversed about rebates, which the jury may or may not consider to be proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

During the trial, the government presented evidence that Hazelwood made many millions of dollars a year - as much as $27 million by 2012. Wombold made as much as $1 million in 2012, including commission. Mann and Jones made closer to $100,000, including commission.

*The defendants don't all face the same number of felony counts. Hazelwood faces four felony counts that include fraud and witness tampering, records show. Wombold faces seven felony counts that include fraud and lying to federal authorities. Jones is charged with five counts involving mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Mann is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud.

*Don't look for a quick verdict. The jury has a lot of counts to sift through involving four defendants. Some of the evidence is technical and involves numbers and financial formulas. Plus, jurors likely won't get the case until Wednesday, and they're not scheduled to work Thursday or Friday. So they're almost certain to come back to resume deliberations Monday, Feb. 12.

*Fourteen people await sentencing. It's worth noting 14 former Pilot employees have pleaded guilty already. A half-dozen or so testified on behalf of the government during trial. Because of their cooperation they're hoping to get a break in sentencing, although nothing has been promised to them. U.S. District Judge Curtis Collier, who has presided over this trial, also is to impose sentencing for the 14. By statute, a person could be sentenced to up to 20 years for mail fraud. But that's highly unlikely for first-time offenders. The federal system also uses a sentencing matrix that allows for variance in the punishment a convict will face.

*You can bet there'll be appeals if anyone is convicted. Judge Collier, over the defense's objections, allowed the jury to hear snippets of some racially charged conversations that included Hazelwood. Hazelwood's lawyer sought a mistrial, which was denied. The other defendants objected to the content, arguing they weren't present when the October 2012 recordings were even made. It's an obvious issue for appeal if Hazelwood or the others are found guilty.

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