**Luminar Founder Austin Russell Accused of Dodging Subpoena in Chapter Case**
The chapter case of lidar maker Luminar has taken a dramatic turn, with the corporate accusing its founder and former CEO, Austin Russell, of refusing to cooperate with its investigation. According to a recent filing, the company has been trying to gather information from Russell since his resignation in May, but he’s been stonewalling them.
Luminar wants to get its hands on Russell’s company-issued phone and a digital copy of his personal phone, but his lawyer is claiming that the company has failed to provide assurances that personal data from the devices would be protected. That’s led to a heated dispute, with Luminar’s lawyers accusing Russell’s security team of lying about his whereabouts and refusing to allow a forensic examiner to inspect his Florida residence.
Things took a turn for the worse when the examiner was turned away on New Year’s Day, and now Luminar is asking the court to allow them to serve Russell with a subpoena by mail or email, as an alternative to in-person service. Russell, through his new venture Russell AI Labs, has even expressed interest in making a bid on Luminar’s lidar division, which could have serious implications for the company’s future.
This development is particularly noteworthy since Luminar is currently trying to sell off two major parts of its business. The company has already reached an agreement to sell its semiconductor subsidiary to Quantum Computing, Inc., and it’s established a deadline for bids on its lidar division. The chapter case has been closely watched due to Luminar’s growth plans and valuation, with its semiconductor unit valued at $500 million and its lidar division reportedly worth over $1 billion.
As Luminar and Russell’s attorneys continue to spar in court, the question remains whether the company will be able to get the information it needs to make an informed decision about its future. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing chapter case, and don’t miss our upcoming event in San Francisco on October 13-15, 2026 to learn more about the latest developments in business, technology, and innovation.
