Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner (D) sued Elon Musk and America PAC, the billionaire’s pro-Trump super PAC, Monday over their daily $1 million giveaways to registered swing state voters.
“The Philadelphia District Attorney is charged with protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries. The DA is also charged with protecting the public from interference with the integrity of elections,” Krasner said in a statement.
“Today, the Philadelphia DA filed a civil legal action under Pennsylvania law,” he continued. “This civil action neither precludes nor requires potential future action under Pennsylvania criminal law. The Philadelphia DA will litigate the factual allegations and legal arguments that underlie today’s filing on the record and in court.”
America PAC launched the giveaways earlier this month, handing out $1 million checks each day to registered voters in one of seven swing states, including Pennsylvania.
The first three winners were from the Keystone State, where Musk has focused much of his energy in recent weeks on boosting former President Trump.
The sweepstakes have drawn scrutiny, including from the Department of Justice (DOJ), which sent America PAC a letter last week warning that the giveaways could violate a federal law against paying people to register to vote.
The super PAC has continued with the $1 million giveaways despite the DOJ’s warning. It has now handed out nine checks to voters in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona.