Musk off the hook: US judge declines to block billion dollar rewards
2 Min Read
Amid a legal battle into Elon musk's one billion dollar rewards to US voters in battleground states, the judge handling the case refused to block the giveaways.
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Elon Musk speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP)
A Pennsylvania judge refused to block Elon Musk's $1 billion rewards for registered voters in battleground states ahead of the elections, after a lawsuit was filed suing Musk and his pro-Trump political action committee, America PAC, for "an illegal lottery scheme."
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, sued Musk last week, demanding that the billion-dollar giveaways be shut down. However, Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta dismissed the request following Monday's hearing, attended by Musk's defense team.
Musk, alongside other parties, was called to attend a court hearing in Philadelphia in light of a recent lawsuit filed against the political action committee the billionaire is in control of, aiming to stop it from awarding registered voters with one million dollars in battleground states ahead of the November 5 elections.
Musk had been offering $1 million daily to one person who signs his online petition promoting free speech and gun rights. Legal experts are divided on whether this promotion violates federal laws against paying individuals to register to vote. Additionally, the Justice Department has warned America Pac that Musk's giveaways could violate federal regulations regarding voter registration.
Pennsylvania is considered a key swing state that could determine the fate of the elections, which have so far treaded a thin line as American society appears to be equally divided for Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic Kamala Harris.
Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro previously called on law enforcement to look into Musk's idea to offer $1 million per day to registered voters who sign a petition supporting free speech in crucial swing states until the presidential election.
Although Musk was off the hook, no rewards were given recently.
Read more: DOJ asked to probe Musk's effort to pay voters for Trump ballots
