If the CEO was truly concerned about shorts and wanting to protect shareholders imo he wouldn't R/S the stock. Look at recent ticks that have made this same kind of claim (short-selling: CAGR, QASP, LFBG),  done a R/S  and where they are now?

Smart CEO's don't give shorts more room to shove.

Besides if shorts are that concerned, why not cover here? The R/S gives them more downside (which is upside for them). So, who is "trapping" who? (I've heard it suggested that CEO Leonard is trapping shorts. I don't think so)