Tunisia-Treasury plans to raise 640 million dinars from banks and financial institutions

By: Mohamed Ben Abderrazek

On Thursday, October 5, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a complaint against Elon Musk, expressing concerns about potential fraudulent activities related to the acquisition of Twitter, now renamed “X.” The American financial markets watchdog is seeking explanations from Musk regarding his actions during the takeover in April 2022.

According to international media reports, the primary allegation against the entrepreneur is his purported failure to promptly report the acquisition of a 9.2% stake in Twitter to the SEC. This transaction effectively made him the majority shareholder of the social media platform.

Obstruction and Delay in Investigation Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, failed to respond to a scheduled hearing in San Francisco in June. The SEC noted that the meeting date was postponed multiple times to accommodate Musk’s busy schedule. These scheduling conflicts not only hindered but also delayed the regulatory investigation. Consequently, the SEC initiated legal action to compel the Twitter owner to answer questions about potential violations of federal laws.

Following the acquisition of the majority of Twitter shares, Elon Musk initially announced his intention to acquire 100% of the platform. However, a few weeks later, he reversed his decision by suspending the acquisition. This abrupt change led to a legal dispute, ultimately compelling Musk to proceed with the purchase.

The Charges and Implications The central charge against Elon Musk revolves around his alleged failure to promptly inform the SEC of his acquisition of a significant stake in Twitter. The SEC mandates immediate disclosure of such transactions to maintain transparency and uphold market integrity. Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to severe legal consequences, including potential securities fraud charges.

The delay and obstruction of the SEC investigation further complicate the situation for Musk. Legal experts suggest that failure to cooperate with regulators may result in additional legal repercussions. If found guilty of securities fraud or related charges, Musk could face substantial fines, legal penalties, and damage to his reputation.

The Future of Elon Musk’s Involvement with “X” The future of Elon Musk’s association with Twitter, now known as “X,” remains uncertain. The complaint and SEC investigation cast doubt on the billionaire’s actions and intentions regarding the social media platform. Whether Musk’s acquisition of Twitter shares was driven by legitimate business interests or potentially hidden agendas will be a central point of contention in the upcoming legal proceedings.