Nikola founder Trevor Milton sentenced to four years for fraud conviction
Source: Reuters
Nikola founder Trevor Milton sentenced to four years for fraud conviction
By Jody Godoy
December 18, 2023 5:17 PM EST Updated 5 hours ago
NEW YORK, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Trevor Milton, the convicted founder of electric- and hydrogen-powered truck maker Nikola (NKLA.O), was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday after a jury last year found him guilty of lying to investors about the company's technology.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said Milton misled investors by stating that Nikola had built a pickup from the "ground up," that it had developed its own batteries even though he knew it was buying them, and that it had early success creating a "Nikola One" semi-truck that he knew did not work.
After announcing the sentence at a hearing in federal court in Manhattan, U.S. District Judge Edgar Ramos told Milton he was aware the statements he made about the company were false.
"As difficult as it may be for you or your family to hear, I believe the jury got it right," Ramos said.
The judge allowed Milton to remain free on bail while he appeals his conviction.
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Original Reuters link (paywall): https://www.reuters.com/legal/nikola-founder-trevor-milton-be-sentenced-over-fraud-conviction-2023-12-18/