Philadelphia's District Attorney, Larry Krasner, is suing Elon Musk and his political action committee (PAC) to stop them from giving a million dollars to registered voters. He believes this giveaway looks like an illegal lottery and may break federal laws against paying for votes.
Musk's America PAC is running this giveaway, offering $1 million each day to a voter who signs a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments of the Constitution. They're also giving $100 to every voter in Pennsylvania who signs the petition. Musk, who is backing former President Trump, claims that the purpose of these giveaways is to encourage people to sign the petition, not to pay them to vote. However, federal law says you can't pay people to vote.
Here's a post shared by Musk's America PAC page on X, which shows a person signing the petition and receiving a million dollars for doing so:
CNN and ABC News reported that the Justice Department had alerted Elon Musk's America PAC that his $1 million lottery for registered voters in key battleground states could potentially breach federal laws.
What does Larry Krasner's legal complaint claim?
Larry Krasner has filed a legal complaint against America PAC and Elon Musk on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The complaint claims they are operating an illegal lottery in Pennsylvania, specifically targeting Philadelphia.
The complaint asserts that America PAC and Musk launched a scheme during a rally on October 19, 2024, where they promised $1 million to registered voters who provide personal information and sign a petition supporting constitutional rights.
Before this announcement, America PAC initiated a petition encouraging people to support free speech and the right to bear arms. It offered monetary referral incentives, initially $47, and later increased to $100 for Pennsylvania voters.
This legal action is based on Pennsylvania's nuisance laws and the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, suggesting that the defendant's actions are misleading and exploitative.
Who is Larry Krasner?
As mentioned in his bio on the Philadelphia District Attorney's office website, Lawrence Krasner is the District Attorney of Philadelphia. He was sworn in for his second term on January 2, 2022.
With a career spanning over 34 years, Krasner is known for his strong commitment to social justice and civil rights. He has volunteered legal services for various social movements, including Black Lives Matter and anti-gun advocacy groups.
Krasner's agenda includes several progressive reforms:
- A pledge never to pursue the death penalty.
- He will reject illegal stop-and-frisk practices.
- Plans to overhaul the cash bail system, which disproportionately impacts low-income individuals.
- He seeks to prevent the misuse of civil asset forfeiture laws.
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Krasner also emphasizes the need to prosecute serious crimes while seeking alternatives to incarceration, which would reduce prison populations, save taxpayer money, and help communities heal.
Before his role as District Attorney, Larry Krasner worked as a federal public defender and later in private practice, focusing on civil rights and criminal defense. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and his law degree from Stanford University. Larry Krasner has lived in Philadelphia for over 30 years with his wife, Lisa M. Rau, a retired judge.
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