Yep, gump. Responding creates a public record, which these guys DO NOT WANT.
They can't win on the plain facts of the case: they are required to file and they haven't. That's why they generally all provide an offer of settlement.
Given the other layers of Government involvment here, including either the DOJ or the DOT financial crimes unit, they have much more to worry about than the share registration.
There are no stupid questions. But damn, there are a lot of stupid questioners!