0:49
- ABC News
- September 19, 2018
Tesla confirms federal DOJ probe over Musk tweets
Tesla is reportedly the subject of a separate investigation by the SEC as well.
0:49
The scope of the DOJ’s investigation is still unclear, but Stephen Crimmins, a former deputy chief of litigation for the SEC, says Musk’s conduct probably doesn't rise to the criminal level.
\"It automatically becomes so high profile that the government enforcers have to be particularly conscientious in taking a look at things,\" Crimmins told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Business/tesla-car-charging-stations-gty-jc-180404_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
Crimmins, who spent 14 years at the SEC, said while Musk “speaks loosely,” federal prosecutors would have to prove that he lied in an effort to impact the company’s stock price.
That would be difficult to do, he said.
ABC News's Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.
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