A lawsuit by the Philadelphia district attorney’s office over Elon Musk’s $1 million voter sweepstakes has been moved to federal court, at least for now. A lawyer for the Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said that he will work to quickly have the lawsuit transferred back to the state level where he filed the lawsuit Monday, Oct. 28.
A hearing in Philadelphia on the motion Thursday, Oct. 31 ended without a ruling after lawyers for Musk and his America PAC filed late Wednesday, Oct. 30, to have the case moved to federal court. Musk did not attend Thursday’s hearing.
His attorneys said that he is “a very busy man who cannot just materialize anywhere he wants on 12 hours notice.”
Krasner’s lawyer pushed back and mentioned Musk’s wealth and resources. The judge then jumped in, adding, “He’s not going to take a rocket ship and land on the building — let’s be serious.”
Prosecutors claimed Musk’s daily giveaway to registered voters in swing states who sign a petition supporting the First Amendment and Second Amendment violates Pennsylvania’s state lottery laws.
The judge challenged them, but ultimately said he doesn’t have jurisdiction over the case since Musk filed the papers to move it to federal court.
Lawyers for Musk called the case a “publicity stunt.”
Shortly before the court hearing started America PAC announced a new winner on X. At least 11 people have been awarded a $1 million check, with four winners in Pennsylvania.
It’s not clear whether the case will be resolved before Election Day, Nov. 5.
