On Friday (August 5), Telsa’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk’s reply to Twitter’s lawsuit over his decision to terminate a $44-billion deal to buy the micro-blogging platform will be made public, Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick, judge in the case has ruled, the AP reported on Thursday.
According to the report by the news agency, Musk’s lawyer Edward Micheletti wanted to file a public version of their answer and counterclaims in Delaware court on Wednesday. However, Twitter attorneys complained that they needed more time to review and potentially redact Musk’s sealed filing saying it refers “extensively” to internal Twitter information and data given to Musk.
On Wednesday, Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick held a quick teleconference before agreeing with Twitter, ordered that the public filing be docketed by 5 pm on Friday. The report mentioned that it could be filed earlier depending on when Twitter attorneys complete their review.
Twitter lawyers argued that court rules require that five business days lapse before a public version of Musk’s filing is docketed.
Twitter attorney Kevin Shannon wrote, “Few cases attract as much public interest as this one, and Twitter is mindful of this court's commitment to ensuring maximum public access to its proceedings,” while adding, “Twitter has no interest in proposing any more redactions to defendants’ responsive pleading than are necessary.”
On the other hand, Micheletti argued that Twitter’s lawyers were misinterpreting the court rules. Musk attorneys pointed out saying there is no confidential information in his filing that should be withheld from the public.
“Twitter should not be permitted to continue burying the side of the story it does not want publicly disclosed,” Micheletti wrote.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, decided to acquire Twitter in April offering $54.20 per share. He wanted to take Twitter private and vowed to loosen the company’s policing of content and to root out fake accounts.
However, in July, Musk backed out from the deal saying Twitter has failed to provide him enough information about the number of fake accounts on its service. Musk’s action prompted Twitter to file a lawsuit to hold him to the “seller-friendly” agreement.
Shares of Twitter closed at $41 on Wednesday, well off a 52-week high of $69.81.