Houston attorney Rusty Hardin said he got a call on May 21 from former Pilot Travel Centers president Mark Hazelwood telling him he had been replaced as his lawyer.
He said Hazelwood, who was convicted in a fraud against trucking companies, said he had hired new counsel, who would represent him at his sentencing and his motion for a new trial.
Attorney Hardin said the phone call was the first notice he got that he would not continue in the case.
Attorney Bradley Henry, of Knoxville and New York City, is now on the case for Hazelwood.
Hazelwood is under home confinement at his Knoxville residence while awaiting sentencing.