Tesla shareholders are suing the company because of its proposed merger with SolarCity, thus creating a challenge for Elon Musk to save the troubled solar energy company.
Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA:NASDAQ) announced on Sept. 19 four shareholders filed lawsuits alleging that the Tesla board members “breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed merger.” The shareholders also accuse both companies of unjustly enriching certain individuals through the deal.
“The lawsuits could prevent or delay completion of the merger and result in substantial costs to Tesla and SolarCity,” stated Tesla in a regulatory filing.
The lawsuits were filed by two pension funds (City of Riviera Beach Police Pension Fund and Arkansas Teacher Retirement System) and two individual shareholders (Ellen Prasinos and P. Evan Stephens), according to the filing.
“Other potential plaintiffs may also file additional lawsuits challenging the proposed merger. The outcome of any such litigation is uncertain,” Tesla stated.
In June, Tesla announced its plan to acquire SolarCity Corp. (SCTY:NASDAQ) in an all-stock deal, which valued SolarCity at $2.6 billion as of Aug 1. The merger is controversial, as Elon Musk is the chairman and largest shareholder of both companies and Lyndon Rive, the CEO of SolarCity, is a cousin of Elon Musk.
According to some analysts, the merger doesn’t make financial sense.
“Investors are likely to view this transaction as a bailout for SolarCity and a distraction to Tesla’s production hurdles,” stated Oppenheimer’s analyst Colin Rusch in his report after the merger announcement.
Based in San Mateo, California, SolarCity designs and installs solar panels at residences across the United States. The company sells long-term contracts and it is the market leader.
The company has frequently fallen short of its installation goals. Its operating expenses increased by 55 percent, causing the company to lose $533 million in the first half of 2016.
