Trevor Milton, the founder of Nikola, who recently received a pardon from President Trump after being convicted of securities fraud, is attempting to acquire the assets of his former company, which is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings, according to recent court filings and a source familiar with the matter.

Nikola filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February and aims to sell its business by the middle of this month. However, Milton’s bid has been met with resistance, as the company has barred him from personally inspecting the assets at its Coolidge, Arizona, factory, as previously reported by the Phoenix Business Journal. This decision was made after filings showed that Milton’s interest in the company’s assets was not welcomed.

Milton’s renewed interest in Nikola is the latest development in the company’s complex and tumultuous history. Founded by Milton in 2014, the company went public in 2020 through a high-profile special purpose acquisition merger, but Milton stepped down shortly after due to fraud allegations. He was subsequently convicted in 2022 and sentenced to four years in prison in 2023, only to be pardoned by President Trump last month.

Meanwhile, Nikola has struggled with various issues, including battery fires, recalls, and financial difficulties, ultimately leading to its bankruptcy filing. The company’s struggles have been well-documented, and its future remains uncertain.

According to a filing by lawyers for ISSO LLC, a Nevada-based entity, the company submitted a bid for Nikola’s assets on March 21. As part of the bidding process, Nikola agreed to allow ISSO to inspect the factory, but with certain conditions, including no video or photography and the exclusion of a specific representative. Although the representative’s name has been redacted, a description provided by Nikola’s lawyer during an emergency hearing matches that of Trevor Milton.

Furthermore, public records show that Milton’s father, Lance Milton, and one of his lawyers, Troy Wallin, are associated with ISSO LLC. A person familiar with Milton’s intentions, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed to TechCrunch that he is indeed pursuing a bid for Nikola’s assets. However, a spokesperson for Milton has not responded to requests for comment.

During the emergency hearing, Nikola’s lawyer described Milton’s interest as “nothing more than a publicity stunt.” Judge Thomas Horan supported the company’s decision to prohibit Milton from entering the facility, stating that it was “justified.” The judge denied ISSO’s motion to allow Milton to tour the factory, citing the company’s concerns.

It is unclear whether any other parties have submitted bids for Nikola’s assets ahead of the April 3 deadline. The court has announced plans to hold an auction on April 7 at 10:00 a.m. ET to determine the highest and best offer. As of the time of publication, no updates have been posted to the bankruptcy docket, leaving the outcome of the bidding process uncertain.