ELON Musk, the world's richest man, is being sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which is trying to compel him to testify as part of a probe into his $44 billion takeover of social media giant Twitter, a Thursday court filing showed.
The investigation, which escalates a long-running feud between the SEC and Musk, concerns whether Musk broke federal securities laws in 2022 when he bought stock in Twitter, which Musk renamed X, as well as statements and SEC filings he made in relation to the deal.
The SEC in May 2022 said it was looking into Musk's disclosure of his stake in Twitter, questioning whether he filed the appropriate paperwork.
The SEC in Thursday's filing said it subpoenaed Musk in May 2023 requiring him to provide testimony at the SEC’s San Francisco office, and that Musk had agreed to appear on Sept. 15. But then two days beforehand Musk raised "several spurious objections" and told the SEC he would not appear, the SEC said.
Musk also refused SEC proposals to conduct the deposition in Texas in October or November.
Among his objections was that the SEC was trying to “harass” him and his counsel needed time to review potentially relevant material contained in a biography of Musk published last month, the SEC said.
According to the filing, Musk has given the SEC documents relating to the probe and has previously provided testimony in July last year via video conference.
"The SEC has already taken Mr. Musk's testimony multiple times in this misguided investigation - enough is enough," said a statement from Alex Spiro, an attorney for Musk.
In a press release, the SEC said it was seeking "Musk’s testimony to obtain information not already in the SEC’s possession that is relevant to its legitimate and lawful investigation." An SEC spokesperson declined to comment further.
Musk acquired Twitter after initially building a large minority stake in the social media platform, which he first disclosed in April 2022. Musk was late with the disclosure filing and initially indicated he planned to be a passive stakeholder, meaning he did not plan to take over Twitter or influence its management decisions.
Days later, Musk accepted and then turned down a board seat at Twitter. In late April, he announced plans to buy the company for $44 billion but subsequently tried to get out of the deal, alleging Twitter was not disclosing the full extent of bot activity on its platform.
Faced with a trial that sought to compel him to complete the deal, Musk closed his acquisition of Twitter in late October 2022.
MUSK-SEC FEUD
Thursday's filing is the latest brush-up between Musk and the SEC which have been feuding since Musk's 2018 tweet that he planned to take his electric carmaker Tesla private and had funding secured. Since then, Musk has repeatedly denigrated the SEC, which has opened multiple probes into him over the years.
“A comprehensive overhaul of these agencies is sorely needed, along with a commission to take punitive action against those individuals who have abused their regulatory power for personal and political gains,” Musk said in a post on X.
Howard Fischer, a partner at law firm Moses & Singer and a former SEC official, said Musk's refusal to appear at the September testimony was extraordinary. "I have never heard of a senior executive who has positions at public companies ever not showing up."
Thursday's lawsuit adds to Musk's legal woes. Reuters previously reported the Justice Department is investigating Tesla over self-driving claims. Federal prosecutors in New York have also opened an investigation related to Musk's corporate perks and claims related to vehicle driving range, according to a report.
Reuters
Fri Oct 06 2023
![SEC tries to force Musk to testify in Twitter takeover probe SEC tries to force Musk to testify in Twitter takeover probe](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/41683796223_ElonMusk.jpg)
Elon Musk is being sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which is trying to compel him to testify as part of a probe into his $44 billion takeover of Twitter. - REUTERS/Filepic
![Sultan Selangor jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk pembedahan katarak mata Sultan Selangor jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk pembedahan katarak mata](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721125507_SultanSelangor.jpg)
Sultan Selangor jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk pembedahan katarak mata
Sultan Selangor Sultan kini berada di hospital untuk rawatan pemeriksaan kesihatan bagi menjalani prosedur pembedahan katarak mata.
Enam MP kekal : Tak adil salahkan Speaker - Gobind
Mengenai keputusan mengekalkan enam kerusi Parlimen bekas ahli Bersatu, Gobind Singh Deo berkata tidak adil untuk salahkan Speaker buat keputusan yang diperuntukkan undang-undang.
![Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721123744_tokandadah.jpg)
Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar
Polis menahan dua lelaki dan merampas dua pucuk pistol serta pelbagai jenis dadah dalam dua tangkapan di Taman Lam Foong, di Alor Setar.
![Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719354914_Destroyedbuildings.jpg)
Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB
Beliau berkata tahap pertempuran dan kemusnahan yang melampau di Gaza tidak dapat difahami dan tidak boleh dimaafkan.
![Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721121786_MuhyiddinYassin.jpg)
Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Muhyiddin memberitahu bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary.
![Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81712376317_TujuanForensik.jpg)
Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas
Gen HNF4A (Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha) didapati akan berhenti berfungsi pada tubuh pesakit kanser pankreas.
Pantau Agenda Reformasi: Potensi dan cabaran percambahan e-Sukan di Malaysia
Pengerusi Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) Negeri Selangor
merangkap Timbalan Presiden Majlis Belia Negeri Selangor
E-Sukan mampu mencetak nama Malaysia di pentas dunia. Memahami potensi, kekangan dan peranan yang perlu dimainkan semua pihak dalam melahirkan lebih ramai pemain E-Sukan yang berjaya, seterusnya menyokong pembangunan industri E-Sukan negara.
SRG cipta sejarah pasukan Malaysia pertama juarai MSC MLBB 2024
merangkap Timbalan Presiden Majlis Belia Negeri Selangor
E-Sukan mampu mencetak nama Malaysia di pentas dunia. Memahami potensi, kekangan dan peranan yang perlu dimainkan semua pihak dalam melahirkan lebih ramai pemain E-Sukan yang berjaya, seterusnya menyokong pembangunan industri E-Sukan negara.
SRG cipta sejarah pasukan Malaysia pertama juarai MSC MLBB 2024
Jualan kereta di Malaysia diunjur cecah 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) melakukan semakan semula berkaitan sasaran jumlah keseluruhan industri (TIV) kepada 765,000 unit berbanding unjuran awal 740,000 unit untuk 2024. Semakan dibuat disokong oleh persekitaran ekonomi yang positif dan jumlah tempatan tertunggak yang masih berada pada tahap yang baik
Kementerian Digital cari kaedah kurangkan kos pelaksanaan sistem e-invois
Kerajaan sedang mencari kaedah mengurangkan kos pelaksanaan sistem e-invois untuk Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) selepas sistem itu diwajibkan untuk semua perniagaan pada 1 Julai 2025
Perbelanjaan pengguna dijangka meningkat tahun ini
Perbelanjaan Pengguna Malaysia dijangka meningkat sepanjang tahun ini
dengan unjuran sebanyak RM904.6 bilion, ketika proses pemulihan ekonomi menunjukkan kemajuan pada ketika ini.
dengan unjuran sebanyak RM904.6 bilion, ketika proses pemulihan ekonomi menunjukkan kemajuan pada ketika ini.
![Suruhanjaya Eropah dapati X milik Elon Musk langgar undang-undang digital EU Suruhanjaya Eropah dapati X milik Elon Musk langgar undang-undang digital EU](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41718408932_XTwitter.jpg)
Suruhanjaya Eropah dapati X milik Elon Musk langgar undang-undang digital EU
Platform media sosial Elon Musk, X, didapati melanggar undang-undang digital EU kerana menipu pengguna dan kegagalan dalam ketelusan, kata Suruhanjaya Eropah dalam satu penemuan awal.
![Pendapatan X merosot teruk, bakal lancar sistem pembayaran sendiri Pendapatan X merosot teruk, bakal lancar sistem pembayaran sendiri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41718408932_XTwitter.jpg)
Pendapatan X merosot teruk, bakal lancar sistem pembayaran sendiri
Pendapatan X dalam enam bulan pertama 2023 ialah $1.48 billion yang bersamaan penyusutan 40 peratus berbanding tempoh sama tahun lalu.
![Indonesia sedia haramkan X jika tidak halang kandungan lucah Indonesia sedia haramkan X jika tidak halang kandungan lucah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71714708473_tbGENERICPHONE.jpg)
Indonesia sedia haramkan X jika tidak halang kandungan lucah
Menteri berkenaan telah menghantar surat amaran kepada X berkaitan perkara ini.
![Menteri Indonesia ancam tutup X kerana kandungan lucah Menteri Indonesia ancam tutup X kerana kandungan lucah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41718408932_XTwitter.jpg)
Menteri Indonesia ancam tutup X kerana kandungan lucah
Kerajaan Indonesia akan menghantar lebih banyak surat amaran sebelum memutuskan kemungkinan penutupan.
![Elon Musk tarik tuntutan saman ke atas OpenAI, Sam Altman Elon Musk tarik tuntutan saman ke atas OpenAI, Sam Altman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71710843810_ElonMusk.jpg)
Elon Musk tarik tuntutan saman ke atas OpenAI, Sam Altman
Tiada sebab diberikan mengapa saman ditarik dan pihak Elon Musk belum mengemukakan sebarang kenyataan rasmi mengenainya.
![Elon Musk mahu haramkan penggunaan peranti Apple di syarikat miliknya Elon Musk mahu haramkan penggunaan peranti Apple di syarikat miliknya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71713929876_ElonMuskjpg.jpg)
Elon Musk mahu haramkan penggunaan peranti Apple di syarikat miliknya
Pada pandangan Musk, ini akan mendatangkan risiko sekuriti yang serius.
![Elon Musk mungkin tinggalkan Tesla jika tidak dibayar $56 bilion Elon Musk mungkin tinggalkan Tesla jika tidak dibayar $56 bilion](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71713929876_ElonMuskjpg.jpg)
Elon Musk mungkin tinggalkan Tesla jika tidak dibayar $56 bilion
Robyn Denholm, salah seorang lembaga pengarah berkata, Tesla perlu mengotakan janji jika ingin Elon Musk kekal bersama syarikat.
![Nilai pasaran Nvidia cecah AS$3 trilion Nilai pasaran Nvidia cecah AS$3 trilion](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51717639416_NVIDIA.jpg)
Nilai pasaran Nvidia cecah AS$3 trilion
Nilai pasaran Nvidia melonjak ke paras tertinggi, mencecah $3 trilion pada Rabu.
![Angkasawan bersedia untuk penerbangan pertama Starliner Angkasawan bersedia untuk penerbangan pertama Starliner](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61717260956_BoeingsStarliner.jpg)
Angkasawan bersedia untuk penerbangan pertama Starliner
CST-100 Starliner dengan dua orang angkasawan dijangka berlepas pada jam 12:25 tengah hari dari Pusat Angkasa Kennedy NASA di Florida.
![xAI Milik Elon Musk raih suntikan dana pelaburan berjumlah AS$6 bilion xAI Milik Elon Musk raih suntikan dana pelaburan berjumlah AS$6 bilion](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/61689226648_ELONMUSKXAI.jpg)
xAI Milik Elon Musk raih suntikan dana pelaburan berjumlah AS$6 bilion
Ia termasuk daripada Sequoia Capital, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Kingdom Holding, dan beberapa pihak yang lain.