Philadelphia District Attorney filed a lawsuit against Musk’s PAC to prevent the billionaire from giving away $1 million to US election voters in swing states.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has initiated legal action against a political action committee (PAC) affiliated with billionaire Elon Musk, aiming to stop it from distributing $1 million to registered voters in swing states for the upcoming U.S. election.
District Attorney Larry Krasner filed the suit just after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a warning to Musk’s America PAC, suggesting that the planned giveaway might breach federal election laws.
The civil lawsuit filed in Philadelphia County’s Court of Common Pleas names both Musk and America PAC as defendants.
Philly DA: Musk’s Giveaway Endangers Election Integrity
On Monday, Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner petitioned a state judge to prevent Musk’s proposed $1 million voter giveaway to target registered voters in the 2024 U.S. election.
Krasner, a Democrat and self-proclaimed progressive prosecutor, stated,
“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.”
Last week, the DOJ similarly warned Musk’s America PAC about the potential legal issues surrounding its $1 million voter lottery, prompting criticism from Dogecoin co-founder Billy Markus, who claimed the DOJ’s actions were “politically motivated” and reminiscent of “authoritarian regimes.”
Legal Action on a Potentially Illegal Giveaway
The lawsuit alleges Musk’s America PAC offered the $1 million prize in exchange for personal details, including an address, phone number, email, and a signed pledge to support the Constitution.
The suit argues this is an illegal lottery setup, requiring participants to give personal information and a political pledge in exchange for a chance to win.
It further claims Pennsylvania law mandates that state officials operate all lotteries within the state.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that America PAC’s giveaway might violate Pennsylvania consumer protection laws, labeling the lottery as potentially deceptive, unclear, or misleading.
Michael Morse, an assistant law professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, also questioned the legality of Musk’s actions, noting that “Federal law bars payments to induce someone to register to vote,” and adding that the pledge might be seen as an inducement.
DA Krasner: PAC Poses a Risk to Public Interest and Election Integrity
Krasner reiterated that the Philadelphia DA’s responsibilities include protecting citizens from public nuisances, unfair trade practices, and illegal lotteries. He also highlighted the duty to safeguard election integrity.
Previously, America PAC faced scrutiny from the North Carolina Attorney General and Michigan Secretary of State, following allegations that the PAC was collecting data from swing-state voters under the guise of helping with voter registration.
In response, America PAC agreed to address several non-functional links on its website.
