Lottery case dropped
Philadelphia DA Krasner drops his legal case against Musk and America PAC.
Kindly mark this case Discontinued and Ended as to all parties without prejudice, with all parties bearing their own costs.
The lawsuit from Larry Krasner in Philadelphia against Elon Musk and his @america super PAC has been officially dropped. pic.twitter.com/Wr7TXnHxXM
— Teddy Schleifer (@teddyschleifer) November 25, 2024
Judge rules lottery can continue. Musk lawyer: Lottery winners not random
There is no prize to be won, instead recipients must fulfill contractual obligations to serve as a spokesperson for the Pac.
A lawyer for DA Krasner’s office called those comments a “complete admission of liability”.
We just heard this guy say, my boss, my client, called this random. We promised people that they were going to participate in a random process, but it’s a process where we pre-select people.
The lawyer then the court a clip of Musk at a Trump rally on 19 October telling attendees that America PAC would “randomly” award $1m to people who sign the petition every day until the election. In the video, Musk also said “all we ask” is that the winners serve as spokespeople for the group. Krasner took the stand to offer evidence. Under questioning, he said two Pennsylvania residents had been “scammed for their information” and called the giveaway a “grift” aimed at political marketing.
Judge declines to block lottery
Judge Foglietta rules Philadelphia DA Krasner’s lawsuit to stop Musk’s America PAC’s $1 million lottery will be put on hold while a federal court decides whether to take up the case. If the federal court chooses not to rule on the matter the case will go back to the state court. As the case won’t be resolved until after the Nov 5 election, Musk can continue to give away prizes. Musk did not appear in court, but responds on X:
American Justice FTW
American Justice FTW 🙌 https://t.co/5KKNGHrOXF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2024
Musk ordered to appear at lottery hearing
A Philadelpha judge orders the ‘illegal lottery’ case filed by the Phipadelphia DA to be moved up by a day, to Thurs Nov 31, with an order for Musk to appear in person.
It is further ordered that all parties must be present at the time of the hearing
Philadelphia DA sues America PAC lottery
Krasner sues for an immediate injunction to stop Musk’s Amercia PAC’s $1 million lottery before the presidential election. The suit also accuses Musk of violating consumer protection laws by deploying “deceptive, vague or misleading statements” that could create confusion.
America PAC and Musk must be stopped, immediately, before the upcoming Presidential Election on November 5…America PAC and Musk are lulling Philadelphia citizens… to give up their personal identifying information and make a political pledge in exchange for the chance to win $1 million. That is a lottery. And it is indisputably an unlawful lottery.
So far, nine $1m-prize winners have been announced. A court hearing has been set for Friday morning Nov 1.
Justice: Musk may have violated campaign finance law
The Justice Department sends a letter to America PAC, warning that awarding $1 million to registered voters who sign a petition might violate federal laws against paying voters. Such letters typically do not outline the department’s next steps and are intended to force the recipient to make changes to conform with the law. Musk’s defenders say the lottery is not illegal because it pays people who signed a petition — and did not specifically award people for registering to vote.
Lottery winner talks about win
John Dreher, the first winner of America PAC’s $1 million lotter prize talks about his win and encourages Pennsylvania voters to vote early.
I came here to see Elon Musk and to support Donald Trump to be the next president…When he called me, the first thing that happened, I screamed ‘It’s a million dollars!’ and I was pumping my arms in the air. I went up and actually meeting Elon I kinda forgot about the money for a little bit, cos he’s such an influential figure.
John received $1 MILLION for signing America PAC’s petition to support Free Speech & Right to Bear Arms
Every day from now until Election Day, one registered swing state voter who signs the petition will be selected to earn $1 MILLION
SIGN HERE: https://t.co/TMeyWUhbrH pic.twitter.com/UsyTt3V77r
— America (@america) October 20, 2024
Musk announces and awards $1 million lottery prize
During an America PAC rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Musk announces that the PAC will award daily $1 million lottery prizes to a registered voter in key swing states until the US presidential election on 5 November. The winner will be chosen at random from those who sign the PAC’s pro-US Constitution petition.
I have a surprise for you, which is that we are going to be awarding a million dollars to randomly to people who have signed the petition… every day from now until the election.
He then awards the first $1 million prize to audience member John Dreher, a registered Republican in Pennsylvania, who has already voted by email. Dreher is presented with an oversized check on stage. Dreher:
Thanks Elon, This is great. I’m really ecstatic. I want to congratulate you on your rocket catch last week. I’ve been following you for ten years. Got your biography ten years ago and been watching you ever since. I’m a big fan.
