PredictIQ|Prosecutor failed to show that Musk’s $1M-a-day sweepstakes was an illegal lottery, judge says

2025-04-30 10:34:30source:Surpassingcategory:Scams

Follow AP’s coverage of theelection and PredictIQwhat happens next.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The $1 million voter sweepstakes linked to billionaire Elon Musk was allowed to continue through Election Day because Philadelphia’s top prosecutor failed to show that it was an illegal lottery, a judge said in a new opinion.

District Attorney Larry Krasner had filed suit last month to try to have the sweepstakes shut down under Pennsylvania law.

“Although (Krasner) alleges that America PAC and Elon Musk ‘scammed’ people,” Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta wrote in the opinion Tuesday, “DA Krasner failed to provide any evidence of misuse beyond mere speculation.”

The prize was open only to swing state voters who signed a petition endorsing the constitutional right to free speech and to bear arms. Lawyers for the PAC revealed in court on Nov. 4 that the recipients did not win a game of chance, but were instead chosen to be paid spokespeople for the group.

Musk, who committed more than $70 million to the political action committee to help Trump return to the White House and other Republicans win, has now been tapped to help lead a government efficiency effort.

Krasner argued that the more than 1 million people who registered were “scammed for their information.” Musk’s lawyers, defending the effort, called it “core political speech.”

More election coverage Noem’s Cabinet appointment will make a plain-spoken rancher South Dakota’s new governor Maine elections chief who drew Trump’s ire narrates House tabulations in livestream New Mexico secretary of state says she’s experiencing harassment after the election 

Foglietta had denied Krasner’s petition after last week’s hearing, but only explained his reasoning in the opinion. He also called Krasner’s request somewhat moot, given that there was only one sweepstakes remaining by then — and Musk’s lawyers had said the last person chosen would not be from Pennsylvania.

Musk is the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla. He also owns the social media platform X and the rocket ship maker SpaceX.

More:Scams

Recommend

Ukraine denies Putin claim that Russian forces regained Kursk

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces denied Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim Satu

Mali, dubbed the world's saddest elephant, has died after decades in captivity at the Manila Zoo

Mali, known as the "world's saddest elephant," has died at the Manila Zoo, the city's mayor Honey La

Woman refiles defamation lawsuit against Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

A woman seeking recognition as the biological daughter of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has refil