Media Advisory & Interview Availability: Milton v. Essick Civil Rights Lawsuit

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

MEDIA BRIEFING & PRESS ADVISORY

SUBJECT: Media Availability and Briefing: Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Concerning Witness Interference (Milton v. Essick and Lackey, Case No. 2:26-cv-01005)

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & ADVISORY

A federal lawsuit was filed on October 13, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Utah (Central Division) under 42 U.S.C. § 1985(2). The action, titled Trevor R. Milton v. Christopher S. Essick and Paul Lackey (Case No. 2:26-cv-01005), alleges a coordinated extrajudicial conspiracy aimed at intimidating and deterring a key prospective defense witness during federal court proceedings. Members of the press are invited to request interview availability with key individuals associated with the filing.

2. FACTS OUTLINED IN THE COURT FILING

The following factual assertions are derived strictly from the formal Complaint filed in federal court:

• Parties Involved:
  • Plaintiff: Trevor R. Milton, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Nikola Corporation (Nikola).
  • Defendants: Christopher S. Essick (alleged in the Complaint to be an FBI Special Agent assigned to the Counterintelligence Division of the New York Field Office, sued in his individual capacity) and Paul Lackey. Essick worked, and continues to work in the same District of New York that brought charges against Milton in the United States vs. Milton case.
• Core Allegations:
  • The Complaint alleges that Defendants operated concealed pseudonymous social media accounts (including @lfxs1212, @CntrlScrut1nizr, and @InsiderNikola) while taking financial positions adverse to Nikola Corporation. FBI agent Essick admitted to trading Nikola stock and making money through his burner accounts.
  • The filing alleges that Defendants conducted a targeted online campaign directed at favorable witnesses who were planning on testifying on behalf of Milton such as Jason Roycht, former Vice President of Technology Development at Nikola and a prospective defense witness possessing direct knowledge of Nikola's technology programs and executive communications.
  • According to the filing, the campaign included demands for Mr. Roycht to "turn states evidence," public calls for his indictment, exposure of personal accounts, and assertions of advanced law enforcement knowledge.
• Alleged Impact on Legal Defense:
  • The Complaint alleges that this harassment caused Mr. Roycht to decline meetings with Mr. Milton's defense counsel, restricting the defense's access to a percipient witness and depriving Mr. Milton of witness assistance during federal trial preparation. Actions targeting witnesses are considered obstruction of justice, witness tampering and potentially RICO related offenses.

3. CONTEXT: MILTON FEDERAL CASE AND PRESIDENTIAL PARDON

To ensure factual accuracy and context regarding Mr. Milton's legal background:

• Following trial proceedings in United States v. Milton, No. 1:21-cr-00478 (S.D.N.Y.), Mr. Milton pursued legal remedies regarding the trial's fairness and witness access.
• On March 27, 2025, Trevor R. Milton received a full and unconditional Presidential Pardon for the offenses of conviction in United States v. Milton from President Donald J. Trump.

4. MEDIA INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

Credentialed members of the media may schedule interviews with the following individuals:

1. Trevor R. Milton — Plaintiff; Founder and former CEO of Nikola Corporation.
2. Jason Roycht — Former Vice President of Technology Development at Nikola Corporation; central subject of the witness interference detailed in the filing.
3. Robert S. Frenchman — Legal Counsel for Plaintiff; Partner at Dynamis LLP.

5. ACCOMPANYING BACKGROUND MATERIALS & PRESS KIT

The PR Office is supplying media outlets with comprehensive background documents, available and linked below:

• Document 1: Full Copy of Legal Filing — Complete text of the Complaint filed in Milton v. Essick et al., Case No. 2:26-cv-01005 (D. Utah).
• Document 2: Backgrounder on Trevor R. Milton — Biographical details, founding history of Nikola Corporation, and documentation of the March 27, 2025 full Presidential Pardon by President Donald J. Trump. Current role as CEO of SyberJet.
• Document 3: Backgrounder on Jason Roycht — Professional background in technology development and timeline of relevant events referenced in the filing.
• Document 4: Backgrounder on Legal Counsel — Overview of legal representation by Dynamis LLP Robert S. Frenchman 
• Document 5: Milton Federal Case Summary — Chronology and context of United States v. Milton and subsequent civil rights litigation.

6. MEDIA CONTACT & SCHEDULING

To schedule interviews, or confirm credentialing, please contact:

Public Relations Office
Victor Lund
Email: [email protected]
Mobile - 805-709-6696
Re: Media Inquiry — Milton v. Essick Case Filing (Case No. 2:26-cv-01005)

SOURCE Trevor Milton Media