The defendants in the Ripple case have accused the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of taking an "extreme stance" on expert reports. In a recent letter addressing Judge Analisa Torres, they claim that the plaintiff is trying to suppress any "substantive criticism."
In late May, attorney John Deaton of the Deaton Law Firm filed a motion letter to ask the judge to allow him to file a brief on behalf of tens of thousands of XRP holders.
The move came hot on the heels of Patrick B. Doody, the SEC's expert witness, preparing a report on what motivated XRP holders to purchase the controversial token.
Deaton has expressed his intention to file a Daubert motion that would exclude the presentation of unqualified evidence.
On June 9, the court denied the SEC's motion to seal its opposition letter to the amicus request to take part in the Daubert challenge, arguing that the agency was trying to seal more than necessary. On June 15, the SEC submitted its proposed redactions in order to prove the expert witness from "further threats" and "harassment."
"But no expert witness should expect to be subjected to a campaign of humiliation, harassment, or threats simply by agreeing to act as an expert witness," the SEC argued.
The defendants, however, claim that the agency is trying to "suppress public criticism of its experts' opinions."