The former CEO of now-defunct Arrow Trucking, Doug Pielsticker, recently asked a judge to reduce his sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS and a Utah bank.
Two days before Christmas 2009, Arrow Trucking Co. abruptly closed its doors, leaving over 900 truck drivers stranded around the country without pay or fuel to get home.
An investigation discovered that Pielsticker squandered company money, which included employee’s pension plans and payroll accounts, in order to fund a lavish lifestyle for himself and his family. Pielsticker also plead guilty to defrauding the IRS and a Utah bank for more than $25 million earlier this year.
Despite leaving hundreds of drivers stranded, stealing from his workers, and defrauding the IRS, Pielsticker recently asked the judge for a lighter sentence.
In a recent court filing, his lawyer asked the judge to “impose the shortest period of incarceration, if any, warranted under the circumstances.”
“After Arrow’s demise, the public humiliation and vilification visited upon Mr. Pielsticker compelled him to leave Tulsa, his beloved hometown, and move to Dallas in hopes of starting a new life and provide for his four children,” the memo read. “The stress of the criminal investigation and prosecution caused Mr. Pielsticker’s marriage to fail.”
According to the Washington Times, Pielsticker’s lawyer also added that his “unique heart condition” warrants a lighter sentencing.
Pielsticker currently faces 6 to 8 years in prison for his crimes. His sentencing is scheduled for October 8th, 2015.