I don't suscribe to the theory of naked shorters or a possible suitor. A possible suitor wouldn't risk getting caught manipulating a stock. The SEC wouldn't take too kindly to that.
I believe it's ES and other investors like him who got in at a very low price. We know for a fact that ES dumped 5-10 million shares last year. That alone will desimate a stock's SP like Patriot's because it doesn't have the trading volume to absorb it. If you have tons of shares, and you want to dump them, it would be wise to wait for positive news/more buyers to hold the price stable while you dump. Investors like ES are still coming out way ahead but they're also seeing their balances shrink each month. They're taking their money while they're still ahead of the game and they're waiting for positive news announcements to do it. It's been going on for quite some time.
JMO - GLTA