There are few things that could stop the company from trying...however the consequences of doing so would be potentially severe and thus the number 1 reason for not even attempting it....and there are many reasons why the company would be extremely unlikely to get away with it if they did foolishly try.
All management and the BOD have a very strict fiduciary duty to the shareholders of SLI.
All actions must be justifiable and be done with the intent to benefit the company and it's shareholders...knowingly doing otherwise would be illegal, resulting in grave consequences.
There is a big difference at this point between any questionable actions up until recently...and any that may take place from now into the future.
This company is now under extreme scrutiny by many eyes.
Try justifying optioning SLI's flagship property to an other company that is controlled by the current SLI president as being in the best interests of SLI and explain how it is not an egregious conflict of interest designed to benefit management at the expense of SLI.
It is my opinion that current management at this time is focusing on trying to do things to clean up the mess...as opposed to doing things that will increase the firestorm.
S.