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Clarissa Hawes

Clarissa has covered all aspects of the trucking industry for 18 years. She is an award-winning journalist known for her investigative and business reporting. Before joining FreightWaves, she wrote for Land Line Magazine and Trucks.com. If you have a news tip or story idea, send her an email to chawes@firecrown.com or @cage_writer on X, formerly Twitter.
May - 2020 -
21 May
Clarissa Hawes

Legal woes force Florida carrier to file for bankruptcy protection

Abduvosit Razikov, chief executive of DM World, who was individually named in the breach-of-contract lawsuit, isn’t new to the trucking industry, having started at least four companies in Florida since 2008.

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16 May
Clarissa Hawes

Analysts see major impacts on auto industry from Hertz’s possible bankruptcy

Travel bans, shelter-in-place orders and virtually no demand for rental cars created a domino effect that is hammering the auto industry amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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11 May
Clarissa Hawes

Former trucking company co-owner gets 15 months for wire fraud

Former trucking company owner slapped with 15-month prison sentence for wire fraud

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10 May
Clarissa Hawes

Union Pacific shutters operation of multimodal service Cold Connect

Union Pacific shutters Cold Connect, citing low freight rates and consumers purchasing shelf-stable items instead of fresh produce amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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09 May
Clarissa Hawes

Trucker Path partners with Motel 6 to offer 12% discount to drivers during COVID-19 pandemic

Motel 6 is offering a 12% discount to truck drivers who book a room at one of its 1,400 hotels through the Trucker Path app.

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08 May
Clarissa Hawes

Trucking industry unites to provide hand sanitizer, masks for drivers

Trucking industry raises $75,000 to provide hand sanitizer, masks for drivers

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07 May
Clarissa Hawes

Breaking: Former Arrow Trucking CEO Pielsticker released from prison early because of COVID-19

Former Arrow Trucking CEO Doug Pielsticker was released three years early because of a COVID-19 outbreak at his Texas prison.

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06 May
05 May
04 May
Clarissa Hawes

Family of Wyoming man killed in truck crash sues driver, carrier

The family of a Wyoming man killed in a head-on tractor-trailer crash has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and trucking company

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02 May
Clarissa Hawes

‘Mayday’ protest underway at nation’s Capitol as truckers protest low rates

Anger mounts among small-business truckers as they protest low rates amid COVID-19 pandemic

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Apr - 2020 -
30 April
Clarissa Hawes

Breaking: Ransomware attack hits Massachusetts trucking company

A family-owned Massachusetts trucking company fell victim to a ransomware attack

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29 April
Clarissa Hawes

Transfix lays off 10% of its staff

Digital freight brokerage Transfix laid off about 10% of its staff on Tuesday

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25 April
Clarissa Hawes

Hotel chain offers discount, meals for truck drivers during COVID-19

Drury Hotels is offering hotel rooms for $59 for truck drivers, including two meals, at its 150 locations during the coronavirus outbreak.

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24 April
Clarissa Hawes

Plant closures jeopardize food supply chain

“Things haven’t been great, but I feel like it’s not about me right now. Some of us out here are determined to feed America or die trying,” trucker Mike Baker said about hauling for meat processing plants, some of which are now shutting down.

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23 April
Clarissa Hawes

Food supply chain in peril as plants close amid COVID-19 pandemic

The food supply chain is in peril as meat plants close and truck drivers struggle to find good-paying freight amid coronavirus.

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20 April
Clarissa Hawes

Son of trucker opens free 400-space lot along I-44 in Missouri

Businessman Bob Mericle says he wants to do his part during the coronavirus pandemic by offering free truck parking at his 15-acre, 400-space lot in Strafford, Missouri.

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Clarissa Hawes

TQL delays start date of nearly 200 new hires, sources say

Sources say TQL postponed the start date of nearly 200 of its 400 new hires, citing the economic downturn and COVID-19.

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17 April
Clarissa Hawes

Driver concerns over sanitary practices, pay rose sharply amid pandemic

As the number of coronavirus patients continued to skyrocket throughout March, so did drivers’ concerns over their motor carriers’ sanitary practices and drivers’ need for personal protective equipment and hazard pay as they risked exposure to the virus while delivering essential supplies across the country.

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Clarissa Hawes

Former executive charged with sabotaging shipping records, delaying delivery of PPE supplies

A former Stradis executive has been charged with sabotaging electronic shipping records, which delayed the delivery of critical personal protective equipment to healthcare providers

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16 April
Clarissa Hawes

Driver concerns over sanitary practices, pay rose sharply amid pandemic

As the number of coronavirus patients continued to skyrocket throughout March, so did drivers’ concerns over their motor carriers’ sanitary practices and drivers’ need for personal protective equipment and hazard pay as they risked exposure to the virus while delivering essential supplies across the country.

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13 April
Clarissa Hawes

FreightWaves survey highlights parking, driver treatment amid COVID-19 outbreak

A new FreightWaves survey highlights how truck drivers are being treated by shippers and receivers, as well as truck stops and rest areas amid coronavirus pandemic

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09 April
Clarissa Hawes

TQL: ‘Bully on the block’?

Current and former TQL workers fearful, angry in wake of mass firings

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Mar - 2020 -
23 March
Clarissa Hawes

Oklahoma-based trucking company ceases operations after 77 years

Family-owned Beaver Express Services notified 160 company drivers and 100 part-time and full-time independent contractors Monday that the LTL carrier is ceasing operations after 77 years.

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21 March
Clarissa Hawes

TQL faces lawsuit over data breach

A lawsuit, seeking class action status, was filed against TQL over its recent data breach.

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19 March
Clarissa Hawes

Former Lipsey Logistics employees ‘blindsided’ by layoffs at Chattanooga office

Approximately 30 former Lipsey Logistics employees say they were blindsided after they were called into a meeting and laid off without warning on Wednesday.

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18 March
Clarissa Hawes

FreightWaves coronavirus survey shows need for driver safety protocols

A FreightWaves survey examines what motor carriers, drivers and shippers and receivers are doing to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Clarissa Hawes

Bulkmatic to add capacity, customers with acquisition of Paris Transport

Bulkmatic Transport of Griffith, Indiana, has acquired Illinois-based Paris Transport Inc. to add capacity and improve customer service.

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17 March
Clarissa Hawes

Tenstreet’s mobile platform a ‘one-stop shop’ for onboarding drivers

To get a leg up on the competition, recruiters are turning to Tenstreet to help them expedite the onboarding process through its automated platform.

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14 March
Clarissa Hawes

Truckers risk exposure to coronavirus to deliver critical medical and food supplies

Along with medical professionals and public health officials, truckers are also on the front lines delivering critical medical supplies, food and other essential items to hospitals and stores.

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12 March
Clarissa Hawes

Show organizers cancel MATS amid coronavirus threat

Show organizers canceled Mid-America Trucking Show on Thursday amid coronavirus threat.

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09 March
Clarissa Hawes

Wisconsin carrier ceases operations over skyrocketing insurance, maintenance costs

101 Transport Inc. of Hudson, Wisconsin, links rapidly accelerating insurance costs to 2019 wreck in Utah.

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07 March
Clarissa Hawes

Former Texas DPS employee pleads guilty in CDL scam

Former Texas DPS employee pleads guilty to role in issuing more than 200 fake CDLs over two-year period.

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05 March
Clarissa Hawes

Former Uber exec files for bankruptcy after losing $179M dispute with Google

Anthony Levandowski still faces criminal charges after federal prosecutors allege he stole secrets about Google’s self-driving arm.

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03 March
Clarissa Hawes

‘Nuclear verdict’ forces Arkansas carrier to cease operations after 19 years

A nuclear verdict was “the beginning of the end” for Arkansas-based RCX Solutions, which shuttered operations on March 2.

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Feb - 2020 -
29 February
Clarissa Hawes

Fastmore Logistics to close Chicago office

The decision to close the Chicago office was partly financial, but Ray Sciuckas, Fastmore Logistics president, says the consolidation will create “better synergy among employees.”

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27 February
Clarissa Hawes

UPDATE: TQL says data breach was not malware or ransomware attack

TQL said the data breach was not a malware or ransomware attack and will continue to work with law enforcement and cyber security firm to identify victims.

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Clarissa Hawes

BREAKING NEWS: Carriers notified of hacker data breach of TQL’s IT systems

Carriers were notified Thursday morning that hackers breached TQL’s IT systems and may have gained access to customers’ business information.

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26 February
Clarissa Hawes

Illinois carrier to cease operations: cites brutal freight market, soaring insurance costs

Family-owned BK Trans Inc. cites a brutal freight market, the struggle to find qualified drivers and soaring insurance costs as the main reasons the small carrier has decided to close.

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25 February
Clarissa Hawes

Penske Logistics to shutter Michigan cross-dock facility, lay off 120 workers and drivers

Penske Logistics blames layoffs and closure of its cross-dock facility in Michigan on Ford Motor Co. selecting another logistics provider’s contract bid.

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24 February
Clarissa Hawes

Illinois carrier lays off drivers, shutters Wisconsin terminal on short notice (with video)

Sixty-one truck drivers unexpectedly lost their jobs Monday after Black Horse Carriers Inc. announced it was shuttering its terminal in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, because of a contract cancellation.

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Clarissa Hawes

Exclusive: Mass layoffs reported after Starsky Robotics fails to find buyer, investors

A skeleton crew remains after autonomous trucking startup Starsky Robotics fails to find a buyer or new investors, according to a former executive.

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19 February
Clarissa Hawes

Amazon drops more logistics providers, citing safety, performance issues

Amazon drops more logistics providers, citing safety, performance issues as thousands of delivery drivers across the country who work for small and medium-size logistics companies that contract with Amazon.com found out in mid-February they may lose their jobs in April

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Clarissa Hawes

Dairy Farmers of America offers $425M for bankrupt Dean Foods’ assets

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) announced it submitted a $425 million offer on Monday to buy most of bankrupt Dean Foods’ assets.

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15 February
Clarissa Hawes

Trucking veteran Ingrid Brown shares cancer journey to save others

Since being diagnosed with melanoma in 2017, Ingrid Brown, an independent owner-operator with more than 4 million miles under her belt, has been sharing her skin cancer journey.

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14 February
Clarissa Hawes

RailCrew Xpress laying off 600-plus drivers after losing Amazon contract

Kansas-based RCX Logistics, also known as RailCrew Xpress, is citing the loss of its Amazon contract as the reason it will permanently lay off more than 600 delivery drivers in Texas, Alabama and Florida.

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13 February
Clarissa Hawes

Northern California-based union carrier to cease operations after 48 years (with video)

Rodgers Trucking owner Frank Ghiglione cites the ever-increasing cost of doing business in California as one of the main reasons to shutter operations after 48 years.

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12 February
Clarissa Hawes

Bankrupt Celadon accuses recovery company of illegally seizing equipment

Lawsuit claims Triangle Recovery Services falsely advertised itself as a surrender site, offered cash rewards for locations of Celadon’s equipment and is holding the seized equipment for ransom.

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11 February
Clarissa Hawes

C.H. Robinson denies claims of ‘deceptive business practices’ in growers’ lawsuit

C.H. Robinson is pushing back against a complaint, seeking class-action status, filed by more than a dozen growers that alleges the third-party logistics giant engaged in “deceptive business practices.”

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Clarissa Hawes

Tennessee-based trucking company ceases operations after 69 years (with video)

Family-owned Howard Baer Inc. of Nashville, Tennessee, cites government regulations, the struggle to find qualified drivers and soaring insurance costs as factors behind its decision to close after 69 years.

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08 February
Clarissa Hawes

Despite AB5 pause, California team drivers continue ‘truck-friendly’ relocation search

Despite AB5 pause, California team drivers Jeff and Elyse Fink continue search for ‘truck-friendly’ state.

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05 February
Clarissa Hawes

Cold Carriers to cease operations despite Chapter 11 reorganization efforts

Despite its efforts to reorganize, it appears Cold Carriers Logistics and its entities plan to cease operations on Feb. 21.


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04 February
Clarissa Hawes

Federal judge orders owners of ‘chameleon carriers’ to forfeit $1.3 million (with video)

A federal judge recently ordered Zach and Garrett Barber to forfeit more than $1.3 million in funds they derived in an elaborate 11-year “chameleon carrier” scheme.

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01 February
Clarissa Hawes

Jury slaps Texas trucking company with $7.4 million verdict in bridge strike

A Texas jury recently awarded nearly $7.4 million to a man who was seriously injured when a truck driver hauling an oversized load veered off route and struck a bridge, sending metal debris into his vehicle.

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Jan - 2020 -
30 January
Clarissa Hawes

Volvo reports drop in truck orders, net sales in fourth quarter

Volvo Group reported a significant jump in its fourth-quarter income, but truck orders and net sales declined compared with 2018 numbers.

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29 January
Clarissa Hawes

Ex-Celadon CEO Paul Svindland lands new job at STG Logistics

Third-party logistics firm STG Logistics has tapped Paul Svindland, former chief executive of bankrupt Celadon Group Inc., to lead its company.

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27 January
Clarissa Hawes

Texas-based flatbed carrier ceases operations, blames government regulations, insurance costs

TK Transport cites soaring insurance costs, government regulations and a weak spot market as reasons for shutting down.

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25 January
Clarissa Hawes

‘No regrets’ as truck driver leaves California, citing hostile business climate

‘No regrets’ as truck driver leaves California, citing hostile business climate

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24 January
Clarissa Hawes

Unsealed court documents reveal breach-of-contract lawsuit triggered Celadon bankruptcy

Lawsuit claims Celadon collected and spent $6.2 million in receivables belonging to TA Express LLC, alleges the company admitted it was insolvent weeks prior to filing for bankruptcy protection.

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21 January
Clarissa Hawes

Bankruptcy auction canceled as White Willow’s $14.5 million bid for Taylor Express approved

Bankrupt Celadon Group Inc. canceled its Wednesday asset auction of Taylor Express after approving White Willow Holding’s $14.5 million bid.

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17 January
Clarissa Hawes

Bankrupt Celadon receives $14.5 million bid for Taylor Express

Bankrupt Celadon receives $14.5 million bid for Taylor Express as it plans liquidation of remaining assets

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16 January
Clarissa Hawes

DAT load board glitch could cost small-business truckers thousands

Starting early Thursday, small-business truckers who rely on the spot market began reporting problems logging in to the DAT load board to find freight.


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Clarissa Hawes

Colorado trucking company to cease operations after 39 years, employees say (with video)

Family-owned H.H. Williams Trucking of Greeley, Colorado, told employees on Thursday it will close its doors by the end of January.

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14 January
Clarissa Hawes

Texas couple sentenced in statewide truck tire theft scheme

A Texas couple was sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution after being convicted of orchestrating an organized commercial tire theft ring.

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11 January
Clarissa Hawes

Former California agent sentenced for pocketing port truckers’ insurance premiums

Former California agent was convicted of pocketing $174,000 in insurance premiums from port truck drivers and charter bus companies.

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06 January
Clarissa Hawes

Borden Dairy files for bankruptcy protection

Borden Dairy Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Jan. 5, blaming rising raw milk costs, reduced milk consumption and increased competition among non-dairy alternatives, including almond and soy milk.

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Dec - 2019 -
31 December
Clarissa Hawes

GDS Express files for bankruptcy after abrupt pre-Christmas shutdown

Ohio-based GDS Express Group Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection after stranding drivers just days before Christmas.

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Clarissa Hawes

Some California truckers exit state before AB5 labor law takes effect

Some California truckers exit state or weight options before AB5 labor law takes effect.

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28 December
Clarissa Hawes

Trucking companies blame rocky economic conditions for 2019 shutdowns

Trucking companies cite a weak freight market and soaring insurance and equipment costs as reasons some fleets did not survive the economic downturn in 2019.

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26 December
24 December
Clarissa Hawes

Starsky Robotics seeks potential buyers as autonomous startup struggles to raise funds

Autonomous trucking startup Starsky Robotics is in talks with potential buyers, including some with its rivals, after failing to raise new funding to stay afloat.

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23 December
Clarissa Hawes

Starsky Robotics downsizes over-the-road trucking fleet

Starsky Robotics remains committed to developing Level 4 autonomous vehicle technology, but its over-the-road trucking fleet is not faring as well.

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20 December
Clarissa Hawes

Jury smacks California trucking company with $70.5 million ‘nuclear verdict’

A California jury awarded a Bakersfield family involved in an August 2017 crash with a trucking company more than $70.5 million in damages on Dec. 19, 2019.

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18 December
Clarissa Hawes

Pennsylvania trucking owner slapped with 18-month sentence for tax fraud scheme

This is the second time a Pennsylvania trucking company owner has been convicted of tax crimes.

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16 December
Clarissa Hawes

Few stragglers remain ahead of ELD deadline

Less than 1% have yet to comply with a federal mandate requiring them to switch over from AOBRDS to ELDs on Dec. 16.

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Clarissa Hawes

Automated compliance solutions help carriers navigate myriad of federal regulations

Automated technology is replacing antiquated paper files as growing fleets strive to stay off the government’s radar by running compliant.

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12 December
Clarissa Hawes

Former Celadon employees, drivers describe chaos after abrupt bankruptcy filing

Days after thousands of employees and truck drivers for Celadon Group Inc. received word that one of North America’s largest carriers was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, many are still struggling to take in the news.

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Clarissa Hawes

Freight-tracking startup FourKites focuses on innovation, global expansion

FourKites ranked No. 8 on the FreightTech 25 list of the most innovative and disruptive companies.

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07 December
Clarissa Hawes

Carrier blames weak freight market, bad lease deal for latest bankruptcy woes

Carrier blames rocky freight market, bad lease deal for latest bankruptcy woes.

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05 December
Clarissa Hawes

Two former Celadon executives charged with securities fraud

Two former Celadon executives charged with securities fraud in financial scandal.

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03 December
Clarissa Hawes

Swift confirms driver leader instructed truckers to drive in inclement weather

Swift drivers react to driver leader’s instructions to chain up and drive in inclement weather.

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Nov - 2019 -
29 November
27 November
Clarissa Hawes

Former trucking employee pleads guilty in elaborate wire fraud scheme

Tracy Cox pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court on Nov. 22, admitting she orchestrated an elaborate money transfer scheme to defraud the Indiana-based trucking company out of nearly $382,000.

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Clarissa Hawes

Labor Department sues Iowa trucking company over employees’ 401(k) plan

The Department of Labor claims Ben Shinn Trucking failed to remit employees’ contributions to the company’s 401(k) plan in a timely manner.

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22 November
Clarissa Hawes

Parents of girl killed in truck crash sue driver, motor carrier

Parents of girl killed in a truck crash on I-95 in Delaware have filed a lawsuit against the Memphis-based carrier and its driver.

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21 November
Clarissa Hawes

Ohio logistics firm on the hook for $300,000 in lobster heist

Judge finds Ohio logistics firm on the hook for $300,000 in lobster heist.

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19 November
Clarissa Hawes

Louisiana ransomware attack disrupts trucking operations

Some trucking companies that haul overweight loads say they were unable to obtain permits on Nov. 18 because of a ransomware attack that crippled many state agencies in Louisiana.

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Clarissa Hawes

Ex-employee sentenced for embezzling from brother’s trucking firm

A former Pennsylvania trucking company employee was sentenced to 18 months to four years in state prison for embezzling more than $238,000 from the firm.

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15 November
Clarissa Hawes

Jury slaps Georgia trucking company with $8 million verdict in motorcycle crash

A Georgia jury awarded $8 million to a motorcyclist who was seriously injured when a dump truck hit an orange construction barrel, which ricocheted into his path and caused him to lose control of his bike on Interstate 75.

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Clarissa Hawes

Widow of trucker crushed by steel beams moves forward with lawsuit

The widow of a truck driver crushed by steel beams at a warehouse in Florida is moving forward with a wrongful death lawsuit.

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12 November
Clarissa Hawes

California trucker group files first challenge to AB5 law restricting independent contractors

As truckers wrestle with a new California law, AB5, that seeks to limit independent contractors, a trucking organization based in the state has filed a new challenge to a sweeping labor law that will affect them on Jan. 1.

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09 November
Clarissa Hawes

Trucking companies move to cut ties with independent California drivers as labor law looms

California-based owner-operators say a new state law, AB5, that seeks to limit the use of independent contractors targets them unfairly.

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07 November
Clarissa Hawes

Appeals court finds UPS liable for illegally transporting contraband cigarettes in New York

A federal appeals court on Nov. 7 upheld a lower court’s ruling that shipping giant United Parcel Service Inc. is liable for illegally shipping hundreds of thousands of cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York state.

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Clarissa Hawes

New Jersey trucking owner slapped with two-year sentence for $2 million tax evasion scam

Federal judge sentenced New Jersey trucking company owner to two years in prison for orchestrating an elaborate $2.3 million tax evasion scheme.

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05 November
Clarissa Hawes

Bookkeeper pleads guilty to orchestrating elaborate $1.7 million bank fraud scheme

A former New Jersey bookkeeper recently pleaded guilty to bank fraud in federal court, admitting she orchestrated an elaborate $1.7 million check-writing scheme using fraudulent company checks.

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