Trump pardons Trevor Milton, founder of bankrupt truck maker Nikola convicted of fraud
Trump pardons Trevor Milton, founder of bankrupt truck maker Nikola convicted of fraud
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Trump selects Alice Johnson as 'pardon czar'
Alice Johnson, pardoned by Donald Trump during his first term, has been appointed the president's "pardon czar."
Straight Arrow News
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon Thursday to Trevor Milton, founder of hydrogen-powered truck maker Nikola Corp., clearing the charismatic start-up leader of wrongdoing for his 2022 conviction of federal crimes related to defrauding investors.
Milton, who was represented in his case by Attorney General Pam Bondi's brother, said Trump personally called him to deliver the news.
"I am free. The prosecutors can no longer hurt me. They can't destroy my family. They can't rip everything away from me. They can't ruin my life, " Milton said in a video posted on X announcing the reprieve. "It is done. It's over."
A White House official confirmed Milton's pardon to USA TODAY.
Milton was sentenced to four years in prison in 2023 after a jury found him guilty of lying to investors about the company's technology. He was convicted in October 2022 on one count of securities fraud and two counts of wire fraud, and acquitted on an additional securities fraud count.
More: Nikola executive chairman Trevor Milton resigns amid federal probe into Nikola's claims
Milton called Trump "an amazing man that cared enough to call me personally to tell me how much of an injustice this all was, done by the same offices that harassed and prosecuted him."
Milton, former executive chairman of the Phoenix-based start-up company, was accused by federal prosecutors of misleading the public about the capability of its hydrogen semi-trucks and battery systems. Prosecutors said Milton's company did not develop its own batteries as claimed but instead bought the batteries.
Trump told reporters Friday pardoning Milton was "highly recommended by many people," adding that Milton was "taken advantage of" and treated unfairly by the U.S. Southern District of New York, where he was prosecuted.
"I don't know him, but they say it was very unfair," Trump said, arguing that Milton was targeted because he's a Trump supporter. "You don't realize ‒ this was a vicious group of people that were in this office before us."
Brad Bondi, the attorney representing Milton, and the brother of Pam Bondi, did not return a message seeking comment.
General Motors partnered with Nikola to produce an electric pickup truck, but GM later scaled back the alliance amid the allegations against the company.
Nikola last month filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced it would pursue a sale of its assets.
Contributing: Reuters.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
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