Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam says he's very optimistic about the outcome of a federal investigation of Pilot Flying J, his family's truck-stop chain.
Speaking to reporters as the Browns opened training camp Thursday, Haslam said the federal fraud investigation that became public in April has not been a distraction in rebuilding the Browns, and he denied there are any problems with his cash flow.
Haslam said he's excited about the upcoming season, but cautioned Cleveland fans to be patient.
The Browns have had only two winning seasons and one playoff appearance since returning to the league as an expansion team in 1999. Meanwhile, a group of trucking companies wants to move ahead with lawsuits against the chain owned by Jimmy Haslam and Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. Attorney John Walker told a federal judge in Maine yesterday that a class-action settlement over fuel rebate fraud claims was a surprise for the companies that were not involved in the negotiations. Those nine companies want to consolidate their cases.