Nikola Whistle-Blower Made Money Off Short Report (Correct)

A former Nikola Corp. contractor whose allegations of fraud at the electric truck maker helped spur a criminal investigation told a federal jury he made $600,000 off a short seller’s report on the company.

Paul Lackey, an engineer at the electric-drive systems company EVDrive that did contract work for Nikola, was testifying under questioning by the defense in the criminal trial of Nikola founder Trevor Milton. He said he gave short seller Hindenburg Research information in exchange for a share of its profits from shorting the company’s shares.

Trevor Milton, center, leaves federal court in Manhattan on Sept. 12.

Photographer: Stephen Yang/Bloomberg

The US alleges that Milton, 40, lied to investors again ...