Tesla and SpaceX representatives speak at a town hall event sponsored by America PAC in support of former U.S. president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, October 18, 2024, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Elon Musk CEO.
Ryan Collard AFP | Getty Images
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has filed a lawsuit seeking to block Elon Musk and his political action committee from distributing $1 million to registered voters in battleground states, alleging they are “operating an illegal lottery.” Ta.
The lawsuit by prosecutor Larry Krasner comes days after the U.S. lawsuit, which accuses Musk and his America PAC of trying to influence voters in the presidential election. Ministry of Justice warned America PAC that its $1 million daily sweepstakes could violate federal election law.
Both men are named in Krasner’s lawsuit in Philadelphia County Civil Court. tesla Musk CEO and America PAC are the defendants.
Musk is supporting Republican candidate Donald Trump over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the presidential election. CNBC has reached out to Musk for comment.
“America PAC and Elon Musk operate an illegal lottery in Philadelphia (and throughout Pennsylvania),” the complaint states.
The complaint alleges that at an Oct. 19 campaign rally, registered voters must provide personal identifying information (address, cell phone, email address) and sign a petition pledging to support the Constitution to become eligible for election. It has been announced that there will be. A prize of $1 million will be won in the drawing.
“In other words, America PAC and Musk deceived the citizens of Philadelphia, and the rest of the Commonwealth (and other battleground states in the upcoming election), into giving up personally identifying information in exchange for a chance to win $1. “millions,” the lawsuit says.
“It’s a lottery,” Suits says. “And there is no question that it is an illegal lottery.”
Under Pennsylvania law, all lotteries in the state must be regulated by the state, according to the lawsuit.
Musk’s lottery also violates the Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Act by “developing deceptive, ambiguous, or misleading statements that create the potential for confusion or misunderstanding,” according to the lawsuit.
“The Philadelphia District Attorney is responsible for protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries,” Krasner said in a statement Monday.
“The prosecutor’s office also has a responsibility to protect the public from interference with election integrity,” Krasner said.
Earlier this year, America PAC and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the Michigan State Department after CNBC revealed that they were collecting personal contact information under the false pretense of helping voters in battleground states register to vote. It was briefly investigated by the Secretary of State’s Office.
In response to the investigation, PAC told state officials it would fix some dead-end links on the site.
Additional coverage by CNBC kevin breuninger
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