He was robbed by Edison. Edison told Tesla that if he could increase the efficiencies of his generators and motors, he would give Tesla a $50K bonus. When Tesla succeeded, Edison weaseled out and said Tesla didn't understand American's sense of humor. Tesla quit and went to Westinghouse.
You might say Tesla was wrong or is lying but Edison was not exactly a Saint, ask G. Melies about that. He put all his money into a movie called, "A Journey to the Moon". Edison's techs paid a projectionist to allow him to copy the print and he played it in America and G. Melies didn't make a cent of profit. Classy move. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Trip_to_the_Moon
Did either Melies or Tesla sue Edison?