Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner filed a lawsuit on Monday against Elon Musk and his super PAC, America PAC, over a controversial $1 million giveaway targeting registered voters. Krasner’s lawsuit alleges that Musk and his PAC are “conducting an illegal lottery in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania.” According to the filing, the $1 million giveaway constitutes an “illegal lottery scheme” because, under state law, all lotteries must be regulated by the commonwealth.
Krasner is seeking an emergency injunction to halt what he describes as a “scheme to influence voters,” arguing that the giveaway violates state laws on lotteries. The suit clarifies that it is not addressing potential violations of state or federal laws prohibiting vote buying, but instead focuses on the legality of unregulated lotteries and “misleading consumers.”
Musk, who recently announced the eighth winner of his $1 million prize in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, reaffirmed his intention to continue awarding the money to registered voters in swing states who sign his petition. He emphasized that participants are not required to vote, but must be registered voters to be eligible, according to the petition form.
At a rally, Musk explained the giveaway, stating, “We’re trying to get attention for this very important petition to support the Constitution. And it’s like, if we, you know — we need the right to free speech; we need the right to bear arms.”
Musk pledged to continue the daily $1 million giveaway until November 5, adding, “All you have to do is sign the petition in support of the First and Second Amendment. That’s it. You don’t even have to vote. It’d be nice if you voted, but you don’t have to.”