Elon Musk group sued by US prosecutor to stop ‘illegal’ US$1 million lottery for voters

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office on Monday filed a lawsuit seeking to stop a political action committee controlled by billionaire Elon Musk from awarding US$1 million to registered US voters in battleground states ahead of the November 5 election.

The complaint brought by the top prosecutor in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, called the giveaway by Musk’s America PAC, which backs Republican former US president Donald Trump, an “illegal lottery” that enticed Pennsylvania residents to share personal data.

Lawrence Krasner, the top prosecutor in Pennsylvania’s largest city, which is a Democratic stronghold, alleged the giveaways violated state consumer protection laws.

“If not enjoined, their lottery scheme will irreparably harm Philadelphians – and others in Pennsylvanians – and tarnish the public’s right to a free and fair election,” the complaint read.

In response to a request for comment, an America PAC spokesperson sent a link to the group’s latest post on social media, which was published after news of the lawsuit.

The post identified a Michigan resident who received the US$1 million prize, and said additional awards would be handed out every day until the election.