A lawyer representing Elon Musk and his America PAC political action committee told a Pennsylvania judge on Nov. 4 that the recipients of his client’s daily $1 million “giveaway” were handpicked based on personal stories.
The testimony, provided by Chris Gober, an attorney known for his work with the Republican Party, disputes the portrayal of the so-called sweepstakes as a lottery for voters.
voter incentives
Musk announced a program in early October that would pay $1 million each day leading up to the election to one randomly registered voter in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
But according to Gober, the winner “wasn’t chosen by chance” and no money was given as a prize. According to a report in Forbes, Gober told Judge Angelo Foglietta:
“The $1 million recipients were not chosen by chance. “We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million winner today and tomorrow.”
Court reporter Marshall Cohen explains this position in a post on source: Marshall Cohen
As CNN legal correspondent Marshall Cohen noted on They came to be called raffles or sweepstakes.
Larry Krasner, the DA Pennsylvania district attorney who filed the lawsuit against Musk and America PAC, pointed out that this is the equivalent of running an unregistered lottery. According to a report in Forbes, Krasner is considering criminal charges.
relevant: Cointelegraph’s Coverage of the 2024 US Presidential Election
criminal charges
Under normal circumstances, the maximum penalties for operating an illegal lottery under U.S. federal law include forfeiture of funds, fines, and up to one year in prison. But a bid to send the case to federal court was dismissed Nov. 1, and federal rules do not necessarily apply.
It’s unclear whether Musk or America Pac members could face jail time over the potential charges. A cursory examination of Pennsylvania law shows that operating an illegal lottery is considered a misdemeanor, so those found to have violated the law generally do not face jail time.
America PAC and lawyers representing Musk argued there was never a lottery in the first place. According to the report, the winner was selected based on his or her story and hired as a spokesperson for the $1 million prize upon fulfillment of contractual obligations.
While it remains possible that Musk and America PAC will be indicted on federal charges (both have reportedly received warnings from the U.S. Department of Justice), his ties to former U.S. president and current candidate Donald Trump could have some bearing on him if the Republican wins. It can provide protection. .
Trump and Musk have said the tech giant will contribute to the Department of Government Effectiveness when the former president takes the Oval Office again in January.
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