That would be one "intelligent" reason to buy high, but I doubt that it was the reason here because shorting shares is done on margin and most brokers won't lend money on cheap stocks like LSBR.
But there can be another 'intelligent" reason, and that is if Brett himself initiates these run-ups to stop the stock from dropping too low.  Pumping it up every once in a while keeps the stock (relatively) alive.

Have those reciprocal lawsuits ever been settled?   Am wondering if that has tied things up and forced the inaction.