O'Connor wrote that financial interest 'means ownership of a legal or equitable interest, however small, or a relationship as director, adviser, or other active participant in the affairs of a party.' His ruling stated that the standard is not met, indicating that Media Matters failed to provide sufficient evidence of X Corporation's connection to Tesla.
Defendants failed to show facts that X's alleged connection to Tesla meets this standard. Instead, it appears Defendants seek to force a backdoor recusal through their Motion to Compel. Gamesmanship of this sort is inappropriate and contrary to the rules of the Northern District of Texas.
O'Connor’s ruling came just three days after he recused himself from a similar lawsuit filed by X against the World Federation of Advertisers, where he seems to have cited ties to Unilever as the reason for his recusal.
Despite owning Tesla stock, O'Connor appears to regard his financial interests as not conflicting with his role in overseeing the lawsuits, as he only recused himself based on his investment in another defendant.
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