Yeah that's a fucking trip.
The earliest biggest red flag is the delay tactics and request for silence.
Like, if I was in that position I would not ask to submit a partial submission, I would tell them "this partial submission contains all requests as of this date. This information will not change." And then make a press release that "all information requested as of x date has been submitted. All information requested after this date is currently being compiled for submission."
Unless there's a court ordered gag, which it doesn't sound like there was, you do not need to take suggestions on what you talk about. Especially when you aren't speaking directly with the people telling you not to talk?