Tesla CEO Elon Musk's daily prize of $1 million (about 1.4 billion won) to encourage conservatives in the U.S. to register voters could continue until just before the presidential election.
According to Reuters and other reports, U.S. District Judge Angelo Poglieta of Pennsylvania has decided to hold off proceedings of the trial until a federal court decides whether to take the case over a lawsuit seeking to halt Musk's prize events against voters.Prosecutors in Philadelphia, the plaintiff
, pointed out at the hearing that America Pack did not announce clear rules regarding the prize offering, nor did it disclose clearly regarding voter privacy.
On the other hand, Musk's side argued that the case was under the jurisdiction of the federal court, criticizing the Philadelphia prosecution for creating a "circus atmosphere" by naming Musk as the defendant.
Earlier on the 28th of last month, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krazner filed a civil suit with the U.S.A. Pack, a political fundraising group founded by CEO Musk to support former President Trump's election, in Philadelphia District Court asking Musk to stop paying the prize money.
"We are responsible for protecting the public from unfair trade practices, including illegal lottery tickets," Krazner, the district attorney's office, said in a statement after the filing, adding that prosecutors are also responsible for protecting the public from sabotage of the election's integrity.
The lawsuit by the Philadelphia District Attorney came after the U.S. Department of Justice warned on the 23rd of last month that America Pack's act of drawing $1 million in prize money for voters in competing states could violate federal law.
Earlier, Musk promised to randomly select a resident every day to give $1 million to a resident who signs a petition in support of Article 1 (freedom of expression) and Article 2 (guarantee of gun rights) to encourage conservatives to register voters in competing states.
Eligibility to sign the petition was limited to those who registered as voters in seven competing states, including Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
※ 'Your report becomes news'
[Kakao Talk] YTN Search and Add Channel
[Phone] 02-398-8585
[Mail] social@ytn.co.kr
[Copyright holder (c) YTN Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution and use of AI data prohibited]