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Ex-Pilot executive wants to throw out statement to agents

A former vice president of Pilot Flying J wants a judge to throw out statements he made to federal investigators during a raid of the company's headquarters.

KNOXVILLE (AP) - A former vice president of the truck stop chain owned by the family of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam wants a judge to throw out statements he made to federal investigators during a raid of the company's headquarters.

Scott "Scooter" Wombold is among eight former Pilot Flying J executives charged with conspiracy to defraud trucking company customers.

A Wednesday court filing says Wombold was working as the vice president of national accounts for Pilot when investigators descended on the Knoxville offices in 2013 and ordered everyone to step away from their computers and raise their hands above their heads.

Wombold argues he wasn't informed of his right to remain silent as agents questioned him for two hours while not allowing him to use his phone.

He also claims that when agents entered the building panic ensured and "the raid incited, for example, screaming and crying" by Pilot sales reps. 

The court filing added that the interrogating agents initially told Wombold they didn't believe he had done anything wrong and he wasn't in trouble. But then after 30 minutes the "tone of the questioning turned hostile and accusatory." 

When Wombold then stated he wanted to obtain legal representation, the agents said he couldn't consult with a lawyer, according to the filing. 

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