Elon Musk under investigation over Twitter takeover deal conduct, court filing shows

Elon Musk is being investigated by federal authorities over his conduct in his proposed $44 billion takeover of Twitter, the social media company said in a court filing released on Thursday.

The filing did not reveal what the exact focus of the investigations was and which federal authorities were conducting them.

Twitter, which sued Mr Musk in July to force him to close the deal, said lawyers for the Tesla chief executive had claimed “investigative privilege” when they refused to hand over documents it had sought.

In late September, Mr Musk's lawyers provided a “privilege log” identifying documents to be withheld, Twitter said. The log referenced drafts of a May 13 email to the US Securities and Exchange Commission and a slide presentation to the Federal Trade Commission.

“This game of 'hide the ball' must end,” the microblogging platform said in the court filing.

The court filing, which asked Delaware judge Kathaleen McCormick to order Mr Musk's lawyers to provide the documents, was made on October 6 — the same day that Ms McCormick paused litigation between the two sides after Mr Musk reversed course and said he would proceed with the deal.

Alex Spiro, one of Mr Musk's lawyers, told Reuters that Twitter's court filing was a “misdirection”.

“It is Twitter's executives that are under federal investigation,” he said.

Twitter declined to comment on Mr Spiro's statement. It also declined to comment when Reuters asked about its understanding of any investigation into Mr Musk.

The SEC did not immediately respond to a request for comment and the FTC declined to comment.

The SEC has questioned Mr Musk's comments about his proposed acquisition of Twitter, including whether a 9 per cent stake he had built up before announcing his bid had been disclosed late and why it indicated that he intended to be a passive shareholder.

Mr Musk later refiled the disclosure to indicate he was an active investor.

In June, the SEC asked Mr Musk in a letter whether he should have amended his public filing to reflect his intention to suspend or abandon the deal.

The Information, a technology news site, reported in April that the FTC was scrutinising whether Mr Musk failed to comply with the antitrust reporting requirement relating to an investor's intentions of being a passive or active shareholder.

However, Twitter said in June that the takeover deal with Mr Musk had cleared an antitrust waiting period for review by the FTC and US Justice Department.

Ms McCormick gave Mr Musk until October 28 to close the acquisition. If the deal is not closed by then, a trial date will be set for November.

Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.

Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.

The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.

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Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

Scoreline:

Everton 4

Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'

Manchester United 0

Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)

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