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Alleged Tesla Saboteur Claims He’s Actually A Whistleblower
1 H BY STEVEN LOVEDAY 17
Every story has two sides.
It comes as no surprise that the alleged saboteur is now pushing back against Tesla’s allegations. Isn’t that how the accused generally react? Of course, this whole situation is going to spiral the “he said, she said” out of control. Until the lawsuit proceeds, and we have some real answers, there’s no way of knowing what’s right or wrong.
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Martin Tripp’s story couldn’t be more different than that of the automaker’s. He claims that the situation and his observations at Tesla made him compelled to apprise the media. So, the part about him leaking/sharing inside information with outside sources matches up with Tesla’s accusations. However, Tripp insists that he was attempting to warn investors and the media about the company’s severe practices. Tripp said:
I am being singled out for being a whistleblower. I didn’t hack into (the) system. The data I was collecting was so severe; I had to go to the media.
The former Tesla Gigafactory process technician claims that he did not hack any computers and he doesn’t even have the patience for coding. He also says that he could have cared less about a promotion. He told the media that he became aware of over 1,000 punctured or damaged Model 3 battery modules that he says were still used in Model 3 production vehicles. Tripp also pointed out the automaker’s unsafe storage of scrap materials at the Gigafactory, as well as inflated Model 3 production numbers. He shared the following statement with the Washington Post:
I looked up to Elon, I looked up to Tesla. I was always drooling about the Teslas and wanting to buy one, and I was living the mission: to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. (I) grew disillusioned after seeing the company’s waste, unsustainable practices and seeing how Elon was lying to investors about how many cars they were making.
. . . seeing how Elon was lying to investors about how many cars they were making . . .
I wanted to leave the world better for my son, and I felt I was doing everything but that.
Tripp calls Musk a “narcissist” and says he has come to the conclusion that the CEO is “only in it for himself.” He is currently seeking a lawyer, along with whistleblower protection.
Until the case plays out, we can’t validate Tripp’s comments. The expectation is that he will make every attempt to defend himself and deny these allegations. On the other side of the coin, Tesla has to produce the evidence that will prove its accusations are true. To say that this is another major distraction and disaster for the automaker is an understatement. Let’s hope it all works out positively for Tesla in the end.
Source: Teslarati, CNNMoney, Washington Post
Categories: Tesla
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17 Comments on "Alleged Tesla Saboteur Claims He’s Actually A Whistleblower"
“Only in it for himself..” That seems a bit of a stretch, considering Elon Musk sold Paypal way back in the early 2000’s and could’ve taken his $200+ million and bought an island somewhere and never worked a day again in his life. A man that sleeps in a sleeping bag at the factory. Logs 18-20 hour days. Gotta come back with something a little better than that.
“A man that sleeps in a sleeping bag at the factory. Logs 18-20 hour days.”
At least that’s what Elon claims, but nobody knows if this is true or not, so it could just be a lie.
Elon lie? No way!
Shocker, bro1999 seizes a moment to run down Elon/Tesla. I’d probably be mad, too, if I blew all my cash for a Bolt and then find out that if I’d waited just a little longer I could’ve bought a used Model S that destroys it.
I think Tesla suing this guy in civil court is silly, this guy is living in an apartment in Sparks Nevada. Highly doubtful he has any asset you could collect in a settlement. Tesla will spend a lot of money to carry this suit forward, and even with a clean 100% win, they will not be able to collect even their costs, because this guy does not have anything to take. Tesla also runs the risk of this guy exposing many internal Tesla problems in discovery, which investors may find material. If there was criminal wrongdoing Tesla would have had him arrested and file criminal charges. I think Tesla is just making an example of, and bullying this guy to scare other employees thinking about the same kinds of exposure of production data. Time will tell how that strategy turns out.
Tesla is doing this to get info on who else was involved. They know that they would never see a dime from damages from this guy.
So my question is, why bother wasting time to sue the guy if you cannot reap any settlement? It looks like he stole production data, and gave it to media members. I know this happens every day in big corporations. I personally know of an executive at a larger corporation then Tesla that was leaking sensitive information to the media, that company fired the executive, and security walked him to the property line, and move on… Tesla is wasting their time, efforts, and money, to scare other employees from taking similar actions.
It’s all part of the master narrative Elon wants to craft. “Tesla squashes saboteur that attempted to leak info to outside forces hell bent on destroying the company!”
Makes for some really nice headlines and red meat to feed to Elon’s fanatic base. Page right out of the Trump playbook.
It’s interesting that Tesla went as far as suing this guy, but has not even lodged a criminal complaint against him. I wonder if it’s because if this case went before a judge, it would open up the company to the discovery phase, and all kinds of info it definitely does not want the public to know would be vulnerable to becoming publicized.
Sadly, I agree with his statement. I looked up to Elon, but he has said a variety of things that are closer to provably false than ever before. Can no longer claim Elon didn’t realize he was misrepresenting. Overstating production number is his usual approach. Trying to hide problems, complaining of any non-positive news as fake news and the media is out to get him, etc. Trying to diminish accidents and safety issues.
We’ll know more about his motives once we find out who the information was given to or possibly sold to. (grabs a bag of popcorn)
This is what you call a “Comedy of Errors”!
What will these so called “Wistleblowers” come up with next?
Class action lawsuits seemed to work.
The NTSB announced that two deaths that happened in accidents with Tesla vehicles was because of Autobuddy a device the tricks the Autopilot system to think you have your hands on the steering wheel.
Hope the families that lost loved ones sue the hell out if that company.
Also since Congress won’t do there job and ban bump stocks families of Las Vegas concert shooting should sue bump stock manufacturers. Modifications to Assault Weapons Modern Sporting Weapons should be illegal pretty simple.
Go, Martin, go!
I would not call it a disaster or a major distraction, and if it were that would not be an understatement.
Currently I would call them likely allegations under investigation, which if proven true should put the former employee in jail. His own explanation is suspect at best, and more likely is sabotage, as described, even if his motive is as he says was to warn investors. Still that is insufficient to excuse destructive, criminal, behavior. If any money changed hands then that puts an end to his whistleblower defense.
I think various media outlets were all to eager to file unsubstantiated, suspect stories about Tesla with thin support, and probably paid for the data, and a disgruntled employee was just the sort of person they were looking for.
SO, how does trying to do a corporate take down on the best and most influential EV maker on the planet help his son?
Just check his bank deposits and we will know who was paying him.