Nevertheless, according to testimony, Milton said on Twitter and other forums that Nicola was responsible for “100%” of Badger’s technology, and that GM was only a supporting role. Shortly after the report, the partnership was withdrawn and the Badger was never produced.
Other Nikola executives, including CEO Mark Russell and CFO Kim Brady, have repeatedly warned that Milton’s remarks could backfire, prosecutors said. claimed. Witnesses said management attempted to “intervene” in an effort to force Milton to tell the truth, but was unsuccessful.
Mukhersey, a defense attorney, pointed to an internal Nikola email in which executives praised Milton’s media appearances. “They were telling Trevor what a good job he was doing,” Mukhersey said.
The conviction includes charges that Milton defrauded a man who sold a ranch in Utah. Mr. Milton used some of Nicola’s stock options, which turned out to be worthless, to buy the ranch.
The acquittal of one count of securities fraud brought Mr. Milton some relief. If convicted on that charge, he faces up to his 25-year sentence.
Phoenix-based Nikola continues to produce a limited number of battery-powered trucks in partnership with established companies, including Italian truck maker IVECO, which builds Nikola vehicles in Germany. . Michael Raschler, an automotive industry veteran who was the CEO of German automaker Opel, was named president of Nikola in August. .
Stefan Hartung, CEO of German electronics maker Bosch, said in an interview earlier this month that he still believes in Nikola. Bosch, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of components for the automotive industry, is supplying fuel cell technology for Nikola his trucks under development.