Cristina Balan, a former Tesla engineer, has been in a decade-long legal battle with the company and its CEO Elon Musk. In an emotional interview with the BBC, Balan shared her story of fighting for both her life and her reputation as a single mother who recently finished her breast cancer treatment.
Balan was initially a rising star at Tesla, with her initials engraved on all early Tesla Model S batteries as a tribute to her engineering expertise. However, in 2014, she lost her job after expressing concerns about the safety of Tesla vehicles’ brakes. Balan won a wrongful dismissal case but later faced allegations of embezzlement from Tesla, which she denies.
The former engineer is now seeking a public apology from Elon Musk and Tesla, as she continues to fight against the defamation she believes she has faced. She expressed her determination to prove her innocence to her son, who she wants to see her as a hero, not a thief.
Despite being in remission from stage 3B breast cancer, Balan’s biggest fear is not seeing the outcome of her legal battle. She remains determined to clear her name and protect her career from the impact of Tesla’s allegations.
The case will be heard in California’s Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, providing Balan with the opportunity for professional vindication. As whistleblowers in the technology industry face high stakes, legal experts advise exploring all channels before making allegations public.
Balan’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by whistleblowers in the tech industry and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of powerful companies like Tesla.