Trevor Milton, who was sentenced to four years in prison last year for deceptively overselling the potential of the products offered by his electric-truck startup, has been pardoned by President Donald Trump.
The Associated Press reports that Milton and his wife donated more than $1.8 million to one of Trump’s campaign funds shortly before last November’s elections.
During Milton’s trial, prosecutors suggested that Nikola was engaging in deceptive practices like rolling an non-running truck down a hill for a video in which the truck was supposed to driving down a highway under its own power.
Readers with long memories will remember when I expressed skepticism over the company in an op-ed. I don’t much care to say “I told you so” but I kind of did.
To be fair, Nikola does still exist, though it has not lived up to its lofty promises.
Milton had not been put behind bars yet, due to an appeal. He posted this on social media:
“I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for his courage in standing up for what is right and for granting me this sacred pardon of innocence,” Milton said.
The White House confirmed the pardon to the AP, but it hasn’t been listed on the White House Web site.
[Image: Nikola]
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