It was just a few days ago that the U.S. Department of Justice reportedly said the practice might be illegal, but the cash giveaways in swing states went on anyway.
Now, Philadelphia’s progressive district attorney has asked a state court to stop Elon Musk’s pro-Donald Trump America PAC from giving away $1 million every day to registered voters who sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments.
Philly DA Larry Krasner (D) sued America PAC’s lottery on Monday in the Court of Common Pleas to stop it. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the court papers said, “America PAC and Musk must be stopped right away, before the November 5 Presidential Election.”
The DA reportedly said, “That’s because America PAC and Musk planned their illegal lottery scheme to sway voters in that election.”
A few days before the lawsuit, the DOJ told Musk’s America PAC that the lottery might be breaking the law.
The DOJ issued the warning after receiving complaints that came to the same conclusion: that “payments for signing a petition or for referring voters who sign” could be illegal if someone who “wants to get paid” then registers to vote, since that’s the only way to get those payments, like the $1 million lottery.
After getting the letter of warning, Musk is said to have said, “This is not a petition to vote for or register for anyone.” Instead, he said, “This is a petition in support of the Constitution of the United States, and in particular, freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.”
It is said that Krasner replied that a lottery can only be run by the state of Pennsylvania. He is said to have also asked if the winners are really picked at “random.”
“That doesn’t seem to be true,” the lawsuit supposedly said. “Several winners have been chosen from people who have attended Trump rallies in Pennsylvania.”
In a message posted on his office’s website on Monday, Krasner confirmed that the lawsuit was real.
“It is the job of the Philadelphia District Attorney to keep people safe from public nuisances, unfair business practices, and illegal lotteries.”
It is also the DA’s job to keep people safe from people who try to mess with the results of elections, the statement said. “The Philadelphia DA filed a civil lawsuit today in line with Pennsylvania law.”
This civil case doesn’t stop or require any possible future criminal action under Pennsylvania law.
“The Philadelphia DA will argue the legal and factual claims that support today’s filing in court and on the record,” the statement said.
