Background of the Twitter Acquisition
In 2022 Elon Musk who ranks among the wealthiest people in the world purchased Twitter. The acquisition deal which reached a total worth of $44 billion finished its process in October 2022 at an agreed share price of $54.20.
Jury Findings on Investor Misleading Claims
The jury examined a case that involved Musk's behavior before his acquisition of the company. The jury stated that Musk misled investors during 2022. According to the findings:
- Musk created confusion among investors in the months before the deal
- His public statements influenced investor decisions
- These actions contributed to a decline in Twitter's share value
The jury discovered no proof that showed Musk had made an intentional strategy to decrease stock value.
Claims by Shareholders
Twitter shareholders initiated the lawsuit against Musk. They argued that Musk's public statements impacted market results.
Key points from the petition:
- Musk posted tweets in May 2022 about pausing the acquisition deal
- He made additional statements in a podcast and other public platforms
- These statements led some shareholders to sell their shares
The trial started at 9:00 AM on March 2 in a federal court located in San Francisco. A nine-member jury reviewed the case and concluded that investors were misled.
The jury required Musk to compensate shareholders who sold their stocks before the acquisition took place.
Musk's Explanation During the Case
Musk stated that his actions were based on concerns about the platform.
He explained:
- He found a high number of fake accounts on Twitter
- Due to this issue he tried to withdraw from the deal
- He later continued with the acquisition after legal action in Delaware
