Federal Judge Reluctantly Approves Elon Musk's SEC Settlement Despite Personal Misgivings Over Terms

Ars Technica—A federal judge approved Elon Musk's settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but used the ruling to publicly express 'significant misgivings' about the adequacy of the deal. The judge acknowledged that courts lack the power to block consenting parties from settling on agreed terms even when the settlement appears insufficient. The agreement resolves a long-running SEC probe into Musk's Twitter stock disclosures, in which he was accused of deliberately delaying disclosure to buy shares at a lower price. Critics contend the deal reflects the SEC's diminished enforcement ambition under the current political environment.

• Ars Technica — Judge says the court cannot block the settlement even though he personally dislikes its terms.
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• The Hill — Judge approves SEC-Musk settlement despite expressing 'significant misgivings' about the terms.