CNN
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Philadelphia’s district attorney told a state judge Monday that tech billionaire Elon Musk’s controversial $1 million giveaway to registered voters was an “illegal lottery scheme.”
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, Filed a civil suit Against Musk and his pro-Trump group America PAC.
“America PAC and Musk are offering Philadelphia citizens — and others in the commonwealth (and other swing states in the upcoming election) — a political pledge in exchange for a chance to win $1 million by giving up their personal identifying information,” the lawsuit alleges. “It’s a lottery. And it’s undoubtedly an illegal lottery.”
A spokeswoman for Musk’s super PAC would not comment on the lawsuit, but instead highlighted the group’s latest $1 million winner, announced Monday — a registered voter from Hastings, Michigan.
In the lawsuit, Krasner’s office argues that Pennsylvania law requires all lotteries to be “operated and administered by the state” — and that Musk’s $1 million daily giveaway should be stopped because it operates outside legal guardians.
“Although Musk claimed that the selection of a winner was ‘random,’ that appears to be false because many of the winners chosen were people who appeared at Trump rallies in Pennsylvania,” the lawsuit says, arguing that the lottery rules are “deceptive.”
The lawsuit is based on Pennsylvania’s lottery and consumer protection laws. Grossner said his lawsuit is not about state and federal laws that prevent vote buying.
The U.S. Justice Department has warned Musk’s super PAC that his gift would violate federal laws that criminalize giving money for voter registration.
The X owner and Tesla CEO, who has thrown his support behind former President Donald Trump and spent millions of dollars supporting his candidacy, has announced a $1 million gift from his political action group aimed at boosting voter registration in swing states.
Musk’s initial promise to offer gifts to registered voters immediately raised concerns from election law experts and some state officials.
President Joe Biden on Monday called Musk’s offer to registered voters in swing states “totally inappropriate,” but didn’t weigh in on whether it was illegal.
“Tell me I signed up! A million dollars,” Biden joked when asked by reporters in Delaware.
When asked if he thought it was legal behavior or election interference he became more serious and replied, “I think it’s totally inappropriate.”
This story has been updated with additional details.
CNN’s Nikki Carvajal contributed to this report.
