Nikola Corporation stormed onto the electric vehicle scene in 2016 offering concepts for zero-emission vehicles. While the SEC does not set emission standards, they have long had standards for omissions – and Nikola is being left with a nine-figure bill.
SPAC acquisitions
Ex-Nikola Chairman Indicted for Securities Fraud
By Corey I. Rogoff on
In April 2021, the SEC released several public statements that may have begun to cool a superheated SPAC market. FINRA soon followed suit, announcing in July 2021 a regulatory sweep aimed at SPACs. Now, for the first time, a criminal case has been filed in connection with a company that came to market as part of the 2020 SPAC explosion.
FINRA Lives Up To Its Name, Announces Regulatory Inquiries into SPACs
By Corey I. Rogoff on
While 2021 has been exceptionally lucrative for SPAC sponsors – even more so than 2020’s “Year of the SPAC” – U.S. regulators appear emphatic that 2021 be the year of SPAC supervision. In April, the SEC released guidance on SPACs and related risks, highlighted by its novel argument that the entire lifespan of the SPAC – from IPO to deSPAC transaction – may be considered part of the offering for purposes of securities law liability. After this bombshell, it appears other regulators do not want to miss out on making their voices heard.
SPAC Securities Class Action Comes for Recently Public Health Care Company
By Corey I. Rogoff on
Clover Health is an insurance company focusing on Medicare Advantage that uses its proprietary software platform to offer PPO and HMO plans to eligible consumers. It fits the mold for many would-be SPAC acquisitions: a technology company with its own platform (known as the Clover Assistant) servicing a growing industry…