Tale Lites Issue 89

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🚨CDLs for Cash in Louisiana?

Federal prosecutors say a Louisiana bribery scheme helped more than 100 people obtain CDLs without meeting federal or state requirements.

The alleged scheme ran from August 2020 through February 2024 and involved Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles employees, third party CDL testers and a restaurant owner who prosecutors identified as the ringleader.

💵 How it worked

According to court documents, ringleader Mahmoud Alhattab paid about $5,000 per fraudulent CDL on average.

The scheme allegedly involved bypassing required parts of the licensing process, including the knowledge test, entry level driver training and skills testing.

Alhattab admitted to sending applicants' photos and requested endorsements to corrupt OMV employees, who allegedly helped them obtain commercial learner's permits in exchange for cash and meals.

Three defendants pleaded guilty in July. Then in September, former OMV employees Jenay Davis and Shakera Millien and third party tester Christopher Bryan Burns also pleaded guilty to bribery charges.

The six defendants face up to 10 years in prison, along with potential supervised release and fines of up to $250,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 28 for Alhattab, Parsons and Roberts, while Davis, Burns and Millien are scheduled for sentencing Dec. 2.

Read more here

What do you think? For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444

🚚 Freight Market Watch

All-in rates (estimated, linehaul + fuel surcharge), week of Sept 20–26

• Dry Van: ~$3.02/mile, up ~6 cents week over week

• Reefer: ~$3.65/mile, up ~6 cents week over week

• Flatbed: ~$3.60/mile, up ~5 cents week over week

Fuel is carrying the market again. Linehaul stalled, with van flat at $2.17 and flatbed down a penny to $2.59, so the entire all-in gain came from a higher fuel surcharge.

Capacity is thinning faster than freight. Van was the only equipment type to add loads, up 1.9% on the week and nearly 30% above last year.

⚖️ $105M Trucking Investment Fraud!

As DOT/FMCSA are trying to battle the rampant fraud in trucking coming from outside the US, lets not forget there are plenty of home grown fraudsters robbing people blind. I’m shocked this person wasn’t also selling courses on YouTube.

Federal prosecutors have charged Kristopher Lunsford, a Nevada “trucking company” owner, in an alleged $105 million investment fraud scheme.

According to the indictment, hundreds of people put up roughly $25,000-$40,000 per truck, expecting weekly payouts of $1,000 to $1,250.

Kristopher would pitch investors to “buy into” a truck, while Lunsford's companies would supposedly handle the drivers, freight, insurance, maintenance and everything else.

🚛 The fleet supposedly had 2,000 trucks

The SEC filed a separate civil case alleging that Lunsford's businesses raised at least $127 million from approximately 765 investors between May 2023 and May 2025.

The companies allegedly told investors they owned and operated around 2,000 trucks and promised $1,250 per week for five years for each investment.

The SEC says the fleet numbers were materially overstated.

And instead of investor money being used primarily to acquire and operate trucks, regulators allege that new investor deposits were used to pay earlier investors, or what is commonly called a Ponzi scheme.

💰 Where did the money go?

Federal prosecutors say more than $105 million was raised, with approximately:

• $75M allegedly used for payouts to earlier investors

• $25M+ allegedly spent on personal enrichment

• Only about $2M allegedly used for actual business operations

The SEC's civil complaint gives somewhat different figures, alleging approximately $33 million was misappropriated for personal use.

That allegedly included luxury purchases, real estate, sports cars, jewelry, travel, bars, nightclubs and nearly $1.9 million in casino expenses.

⚖️ Jail time coming

Lunsford faces six wire fraud charges and two money laundering charges.

Each wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted. The money laundering charges carry up to 10 years each.

The government is also seeking forfeiture of more than $105.9 million.

📩 What are your thoughts?
Reply to this email or text (423) 275-2444 

🍽️ Recipe of the Week! Chili Baked Potato

INGREDIENTS
• 1 large russet potato
• 1 cups canned chili with beans (Hormel or any brand)

STEPS

1. Cook the potato: Poke 1 large russet potato a few times with a fork. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, then move it to the air fryer at 400°F for 8 minutes to crisp the skin.

2. Top and eat: While the potato crisps, microwave 1 cups canned chili with beans in a bowl for 2 minutes, stirring once. Split the potato open and pour the chili over it.

NOTES
Trucker tips:

• Russet potatoes are sold loose at Walmart; canned chili is on the shelf at nearly every truck stop.

• Leftover chili keeps 3–4 days in the fridge in a covered container, enough for a second potato tomorrow.

• Macros (approx.): 420 cal · 20g protein · 60g carbs · 9g fat

Partner Post of the Week

Someone tried waking up Drew when he was parked in one of his regular spots! You can avoid this by using the promo code drew20 for $20 off your next booking!

Long Time Trucker Writes Book on the State of American Trucking Industry

Is there a quiet war being waged against America’s truck drivers?

That’s the argument behind End of the Road: Inside the War on Truckers, a new book by longtime driver and writer Gord Magill. Magill claims the industry that once represented freedom and independence is being attacked on all fronts, from government regulations, in cab surveillance technology, corporate consolidation, and the push toward autonomous trucks.

God Magill has decades of experience including 4 seasons on ice roads in Canada, road trains in Australia, and over the road in the US. He argues that drivers today face tighter control, shrinking margins, and a future where human truckers may be pushed out altogether.

If you drive a truck, have driven, or have a family member who drives then this book is a must read.

You can order the book HERE and use the promo code 4TRUCKERS20 for a discount at checkout!

Truck Parking Club Partner Program

Do you create content for truckers, want to help solve the truck parking crisis, and an opportunity to give drivers FREE parking? Let’s work together! Click below to apply for Truck Parking Club’s Partner Program today!