Trevor Milton CNBC Trade Libel Case Axed by New Jersey Court (1)

Nikola Corp. founder Trevor Milton can’t sue CNBC over a documentary he claims tarnished his business because of a statute of limitations, a New Jersey state court ruled Tuesday.

The entrepreneur, convicted for securities and wire fraud but later pardoned, didn’t have a claim for trade libel against the network or a research firm because Milton was seeking harms to his character as a businessman, not actual damage to his company. He also didn’t sue within the two-year statue of limitations for defamation, the court ruled.

“As a result of our determination that Milton’s causes of action are ...