US investigators seek information on Elon Musk's plans for a glass house, report says

Project at one point involved a building in the shape of a twisted hexagon

Elon Musk at a Paris technology conference in June. Reuters

Tesla is reportedly under investigation over accusations that it misused company funds to work on a secret glass house project for chief executive Elon Musk.

The project is being investigated by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, as well as the Security Exchange Commission, the markets regulator, The Wall Street Journal reported this week.

Employees had complained to the Tesla's board about the project, known as Project 42, and that an internal investigation was carried out, the Journal said.

The plans called for a spacious glass building to be erected near the electric vehicle company's Austin-area headquarters,

The investigations were in their early stages and will not necessarily result in charges being made, the report said.

The Journal said Tesla employees were working on Project 42 last year.

Plans at one point included a building in the shape of a twisted hexagon, and images seen by the newspaper showed a large glass building that appeared to include living space.

Elon Musk and Tesla in Austin, Texas – in pictures

A Tesla Road exit sign on the Toll 130 motorway points to the new Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. AFP

Workers set up for the grand opening party at the new Tesla Giga Texas plant in Austin, Texas. AFP

Tesla's unveiling of the new factory in Austin has highlighted corporate America's growing affinity for Texas, compared with California and other states that are considered to be less tax-friendly. AFP

The parking lot at Tesla's Austin factory is packed with employees' cars. Bloomberg

The construction site of the Tesla Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, in October 2021. Reuters

A closer look at the construction site of the Tesla Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. Reuters

Elon Musk speaks at the South by Southwest Interactive festival in Austin, Texas. Reuters