A judge has ordered Elon Musk to testify for a third time as part of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s investigation into his purchase of Twitter (Credit: Getty Images North America)
A judge has ordered Elon Musk to testify for a third time as part of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s investigation into his $44 billion (£35 billion) purchase of Twitter, now called X, in 2022.
Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler issued an order giving Musk, his team and the SEC a week to agree on a date and location for Musk’s testimony. In a court hearing last December, Beeler said she would issue an order if the two sides couldn’t agree on when and where the Tesla and SpaceX CEO would testify.
“The parties, at least initially, agreed to a date but ultimately the respondent did not appear and resists the subpoena on the grounds that the SEC’s investigation is baseless and harassing and seeks irrelevant information,” Beeler wrote in the order.
“Also, he contends that the subpoena – issued by an SEC staff member appointed by the SEC’s Director of Enforcement – exceeds the SEC’s authority because it was not issued by an officer appointed by the President, a court, or the head of a department,” as required by the U.S. Constitution, she added.
However, Beeler said that the court is enforcing the SEC’s subpoena and that the testimony is “not unduly burdensome” for Musk. The SEC had given Musk the option to testify in Texas, where he lives. The SEC has been investigating the period before Musk’s Twitter takeover, when the San Francisco-based social media company was still publicly traded.
They stated that they have not concluded any federal securities laws were violated. Musk has already given evidence in the case twice. However, according to the judge’s order, the SEC has received “thousands of new documents” from various parties, including hundreds of documents from Musk himself.
He finalised his $44 billion (£35 billion) deal to buy Twitter and take it private in October 2022, after a lengthy legal battle with the social media company’s previous leadership. After agreeing to acquire Twitter in April 2022, Musk tried to back out of it, leading the company to sue him to force him to go through with the acquisition. The SEC and a lawyer for Musk did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on Monday.
News Related-
Pedestrian in his 70s dies after being struck by a lorry in Co Laois
-
Vermont shooting updates: Burlington police reveal suspect’s eerie reaction to arrest
-
Grace Dent says her ‘heart is broken’ as she exits I’m A Celebrity early
-
Stromer’s ST3 Urban E-Bike Goes Fancy With Minimalist Design, Modern Tech
-
Under-pressure Justice Minister announces review of the use of force for gardaí
-
My appearance has changed because of ageing, says Jennifer Lawrence
-
Man allegedly stabbed in the head during row in Co Wexford direct provision centre
-
Children escape without injury after petrol bomb allegedly thrown at house in Cork City
-
Wexford gardai investigating assault as man is bitten in the face during Main Street altercation
-
Child minder’s husband handed eight year sentence for abusing two children
-
The full list of the best London restaurants, cafes and takeaways revealed at the Good Food Awards
-
Mazda CEO Says EVs 'Not Taking Off' In The U.S.—Except Teslas
-
Leitrim locals set up checkpoint to deter asylum seekers
-
Ask A Doctor: Can You Get Shingles More Than Once?