KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The president of a Knoxville, Tennessee-based company owned by Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam is out amid an ongoing federal investigation into a scheme to defraud customers.

The Knoxville weekly newspaper Metro Pulse obtained an email sent from Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam to staff on Monday announcing Mark Hazelwood's immediate departure. The email did not say why Hazelwood was leaving.

Pilot attorney Aubrey Harwell said it is company policy not to publicly discuss personnel matters.

Pilot in November agreed to pay out nearly $85 million to 5,500 trucking companies that were cheated out of promised rebates and discounts. Ten former employees have so far pleaded guilty in the scheme, and an FBI affidavit states that Hazelwood was aware of it.

Hazelwood's attorney could not be reached for comment.