Musk sued over 'illegal lottery' potentially swaying election
The Philadelphia District Prosecutor's Office has sued Elon Musk and his political committee, America PAC, accusing them of running an illegal lottery that could influence the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. The promotional campaign, valued at £830,000, may violate election law, reports cnbc.com.
On Monday, the Philadelphia District Prosecutor's Office, represented by Larry Krasner, filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and his political committee, America PAC. The case concerns a controversial campaign in which registered voters from so-called swing states can win £830,000 if they provide their data and sign a declaration of support for the US Constitution. The prosecutor accuses Musk of conducting an "illegal lottery," which may breach both election law and consumer protection regulations.
The lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County came days after the US Department of Justice warned America PAC that daily cash prize drawings could contravene federal election regulations. According to Krasner and the Philadelphia prosecutor's office, offering the chance to win £830,000 in exchange for providing personal data and a political commitment constitutes an illegal lottery that requires approval and regulation by state authorities.
America PAC and Elon Musk are conducting an illegal lottery in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania, the lawsuit states.
Musk’s lottery may impact elections
The issue, however, lies not only in the operation of the lottery itself but also in the potential influence of this campaign on the upcoming presidential election. Musk, who openly supports Donald Trump against Kamala Harris, hopes that through his committee and the distributed prizes, he will attract voters to the Republican side.
According to Krasner and his team, in exchange for sharing their data and making a political commitment, America PAC entices voters with the prospect of million-pound gains, potentially violating federal regulations, reports cnbc.com.
Musk's lottery has also been deemed a violation of consumer protection laws in Pennsylvania. Krasner argues that the campaign misleads citizens by using "unclear or misleading language" that may confuse. Particularly concerning are the rules of participation and the way the benefits of joining the lottery are communicated.
State regulations require lottery organisers to obtain the appropriate permits, and the drawings must be supervised by state institutions. In this case, America PAC did not meet any of these requirements, which, according to the prosecutor's office, further confirms the illegality of the actions.
The Philadelphia District Prosecutor's Office is responsible for protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries, Krasner emphasised.
As he noted, the aim of the prosecutor's actions is not only to protect consumers but also to prevent interference with the integrity of the elections, as reported.
