Earlier this month, Elon Musk, the billionaire and founder of Tesla and Space X, as well as an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, uncovered details regarding a plan that would award $1 million to registered voters in key swing states. The billionaire’s plan immediately created legal worries that have now resulted in legal action in Pennsylvania.
Musk’s Sweepstakes Lottery in Swing States Leads to Lawsuit
On Monday, the Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, announced a newly filed lawsuit against Musk and his political action committee, America PAC, that aims to stop the PAC from awarding money to registered voters in swing states. Under Musk’s plan, registered voters in key swing states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Arizona are encouraged to sign up for a petition supporting the Constitution.
Under the billionaire’s plan, there’s a unique incentive for Pennsylvania registered voters. Each voter who supports the initiative will enter a daily draw that will see one person win $1 million every day until the election.
However, the Philadelphia DA wouldn’t let things go as they are now, filing legal action against Musk and his PAC. “The Philadelphia District Attorney is charged with protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries. The DA is also charged with protecting the public from interference with the integrity of elections,” reads a statement released by the Philadelphia DA.
An Illegal Lottery
Filed by DA Krasner, the legal action alleges America PAC and Musk are attempting to impact the public opinion of voters in light of the upcoming Presidential Election with the daily sweepstakes. The legal dispute follows a warning Musk faced for his pro-Trump sweepstakes issued by the Department of Justice last week. At the time, concerns were raised that such activities may be unlawful.
As announced by CNBC, Krasner described in the lawsuit the sweepstakes offered by America PAC and Musk as an “illegal lottery.” The lawsuit filed with the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas reads: “America PAC and Elon Musk are running an illegal lottery in Philadelphia (as well as throughout Pennsylvania).”
The legal claim describes Musk’s intention to award $1 million prizes to random supporters who signed up for the petition. “That is a lottery. And it is indisputably an unlawful lottery,” reads the lawsuit filed by DA Krasner.
Additionally, the legal claim reiterates that the state must regulate any type of lottery activity in Pennsylvania. At the same time, the actions of offering payment or accepting payment for voting or registration for voting is recognized as a criminal offense and can be subject to a penalty of imprisonment of up to five years.
