Luminar Claims Founder Austin Russell is Dodging a Subpoena in the Bankruptcy Case

Luminar Claims Founder Austin Russell is Dodging a Subpoena in the Bankruptcy Case

Luminar Founder Dodges Subpoena in Bankruptcy Probe Lidar tech firm Luminar has accused its founder and former CEO, Austin Russell, of dodging a court-issued subpoena as the company navigates a high-stakes Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to a recent emergency filing, Russell has failed to hand over a company-issued phone and a digital copy of his personal device—critical evidence Luminar says it needs to assess potential legal claims against him. The move adds fresh drama to an already turbulent restructuring process, as bidders prepare to vie for Luminar’s core assets just days from now. Credit: Getty Images Subpoena Standoff Heats Up Amid Bankruptcy Proceedings Luminar entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late December 2025, aiming to split and sell its semiconductor and lidar divisions separately. But internal tensions have spilled into public view. Court documents reveal that since Russell’s abrupt resignation in May—following an internal ethics inquiry—the company has struggled to retri…