Lawsuit Against "Roaring Kitty" Withdrawn Amid Allegations of GameStop Stock Manipulation

July 2, 2024 BACK TO NEWS

A lawsuit targeting Keith Gill, known online as "Roaring Kitty," for allegedly manipulating GameStop stock prices through a "pump and dump" scheme, has been withdrawn shortly after being filed.

Legal Maneuvers and Withdrawal

GameStop shareholder Martin Radev filed the lawsuit on behalf of multiple investors, accusing Gill of manipulating GameStop securities to his advantage. However, a court filing on Monday revealed that Radev withdrew the case without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of refiling in the future. The reasons behind this decision remain undisclosed, as Radev's attorney did not respond to inquiries by press time.

Allegations of Market Manipulation

The lawsuit alleged that between May 13 and June 13, Gill quietly accumulated significant holdings of GameStop stock and call options. After a hiatus from social media, he resumed posting about GameStop in May, which coincided with a resurgence in interest and a subsequent surge in the stock's price following his disclosure of a major ownership stake in early June. This disclosure reportedly caused GameStop's stock price to skyrocket over 70% in pre-market trading on June 3.

Investors' Claims and Legal Strategy

Investors contended that Gill's actions artificially inflated GameStop's stock price, enabling him to profit from selling off his holdings while leaving other investors facing substantial losses. The lawsuit accused Gill of disseminating misleading information with the intent to manipulate the stock price, a claim that remains a subject for potential court scrutiny should the case be refiled.

Gill's Financial Disclosures and Investment Moves

In a separate development, Keith Gill disclosed a significant investment in Chewy, where he holds a 6.6% ownership stake valued at approximately $245.18 million. This disclosure emerged amid ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges related to his trading activities, further underlining his prominence in the investment community.

Legal and Financial Implications

The withdrawal of the lawsuit against Keith Gill highlights the complex legal terrain surrounding allegations of market manipulation in the digital age. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies in the financial markets, cases involving high-profile individuals like Gill serve as pivotal tests of legal interpretations and investor protection measures.