The U.S. Department of Justice is looking for documents from Tesla related to the driving range of the automaker’s electric vehicles after it was reported earlier this summer that the company exaggerated the potential driving distance of its fleet of cars.
Driving range isn’t the only thing the DoJ is looking into at the Austin, Texas-based automaker. As it turns out, the Justice Department is also checking up on Tesla’s self-driving technology, personal benefits and personnel decisions, according to Reuters. “Personal benefits” probably have to do with Elon Musk’s glass house project, The move from the DoJ has marked intensifying regulatory scrutiny against the automaker.
All of these investigations came to light in Tesla’s quarterly reports with the SEC, where it has to report any contacts with government agencies regarding possible investigations.
Now, it’s disclosing “requests for information” from the DoJ – especially ones regarding “documents related to Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD features,” according to Electrek.
Now, with the release of the latest SEC quarterly report, Tesla confirms that the DOJ investigation has ramped up with subpoenas and is expanding beyond FSD and Autopilot.
Separately, the Company has received requests for information, including subpoenas, from the DOJ. These have included requests for documents related to Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD features. Additionally, the Company has received requests for information, including subpoenas from the DOJ, regarding certain matters associated with personal benefits, related parties, vehicle range and personnel decisions. To our knowledge no government agency in any ongoing investigation has concluded that any wrongdoing occurred. We cannot predict the outcome or impact of any ongoing matters. Should the government decide to pursue an enforcement action, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on our business, results of operation, prospects, cash flows, financial position or brand.
If ya weren’t aware, subpoenas generally involve making someone (or something, in this case) release evidence or give testimony. It’s just the latest in a saga of legal battles for Telsa and its CEO, Elon Musk.