The USA has become litigious, an industry in itself with law companies buying cases from others like buying debt and akin to ambulance chasing.
The red top American owners will see it as a legitimate tactic to use against City. To them it is worth the risk with all the reputational damage heaped on City and the PL as the useful idiots who will carry the can. Khaldoon knows that any compromise will be seen as guilt. Once bitten so no more taking pinches.
If/when City are exonerated, they will ensure there is no dubiety surrounding the decision. Our Middle East owners will be taking this personally and are biding their time until due process has been completed. Until we hear the outcome, there is little point in speculation.