That audit was more than just a time stall. It affected the community. Being temporarily prevented from working on the project, many contributors oriented thems

That audit was more than just a time stall. It affected the community. Being temporarily prevented from working on the project, many contributors oriented themselves elsewhere. Then there is also the friction caused by the rigor the team had to enforce on accepting new contributions further on. And that wasn't nowhere near the real damage for the project! The real thing was the reticence of serious backing/involvement from wealthy players' part, caused by the fear of something similar (but more serious). That audit can be (and for many was) taken just as a warning.