LOS ANGELES _ Hyperloop One co-founder Brogan BamBrogan and three other former employees at the startup say they were wrongfully terminated for speaking out about widespread mismanagement and poor behavior at the Los Angeles firm, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
The allegations by BamBrogan, the former chief technology officer, and other recently departed executives primarily target chief executive Rob Lloyd and company investors Shervin Pishevar and Joe Lonsdale. They face accusations of signing contracts with friends, family members and companies without due diligence.
Attempts to have the concerns addressed were rejected, the lawsuit states.
Tensions reached a fever point last month when Pishevar's brother, Afshin, left a noose on BamBrogan's desk _ an incident captured on security camera footage, according to the lawsuit. BamBrogan left the company days later and is seeking a restraining order against Afshin Pishevar in a case expected to be heard Thursday. BamBrogan is now suing Pishevar and the company for assault.
Hyperloop One is among several organizations developing a high-speed transportation system that would use a mix of electricity, magnetism and air pressure to propel cargo and passenger pods through tubes. The company has said it plans to hold a major demonstration of its technology late this year, but it's unclear if the departures may affect the timeline.
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
