Elon Musk trial asks the $2-billion question: Who controls Tesla?

Shareholders allege Elon Musk used his control of Tesla to force the firm to rescue SolarCity in 2016

Does Elon Musk control Tesla  or does Tesla control Elon Musk?

More than $2 billion hinges on that question as a trial kicks off on Monday. Shareholders allege that Musk used his control of Tesla to force the company in 2016 to rescue SolarCity, saving the solar panel maker— and Musk’s investment in the company — from bankruptcy.

The union pension funds and asset managers leading the case want Musk to repay to Tesla the cost of the $2.6 billion deal and to disgorge the profits on his SolarCity stock. If they win, it would be one of the largest judgments against