Final week kicked off the fraud trial of Trevor Milton, founder and former CEO of electric-vehicle startup Nikola. The federal government alleges that he deceived retail traders about Nikola’s expertise. He has pleaded not responsible, however the proof from the federal government’s 49-page indictment can be laborious to refute.
To take one instance from the indictment, Mr. Milton in 2017 ordered an inoperable prototype of a hydrogen-fueled semi truck to be towed to the highest of a hill to tape a promotional video. The brakes have been then launched, and the truck rolled down the hill. The truck’s door was taped throughout the shoot to maintain it from falling off, and the batteries have been eliminated to forestall it from catching fireplace.
