November 01, 2024
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Elon Musk has been hosting daily drawings for $1 million with his America PAC fund. Philly DA Larry Krasner argued the lotteries violate Pennsylvania law in a suit returning to state court.
A federal judge kicked Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's lawsuit against Elon Musk back to state court Friday.
Musk's lawyers had sought to move the proceedings earlier this week, citing "significant federal issues" in the suit. The civil case concerns the billionaire's $1 million giveaways to voters in swing states, including Pennsylvania, who sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The contests are sponsored by Musk's America PAC, a booster for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The tech mogul has promised to hold a drawing each day through Tuesday's presidential election.
Judge Gerald J. Pappert concluded that the case was the state's concern. Krasner sued on the grounds that Musk's contests were unregulated lotteries running afoul of Pennsylvania gambling and consumer protection laws. He is seeking to end the drawings.
That leaves little time for the case to work through the state courts. Krasner's team was still awaiting a hearing date as of late Friday afternoon.
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