Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk has come under fire from the Department of Justice after announcing a giveaway which will award $1 million daily to voters in swing states until election day. Though the details were not revealed, a letter was sent to Musk from the DOJ, warning him that his giveaway may be against federal law. A group of former government officials also have sent a letter to the DOJ requesting that the giveaway be investigated.
The drawing, hosted by America PAC, requires that you must be a registered voter in one of the swing states and that you must sign a petition supporting the first and second amendments in order to enter.
On Oct. 28, the Philadelphia District Attorney, Larry Krasner, levied a lawsuit against Musk for the giveaway. In the suit, Krasner claims Musk and America PAC are running an “illegal lottery scheme” as lotteries in the state are to be regulated by the commonwealth. Other issues include the fact that the giveaway violates Pennsylvania consumer protection laws and that winners do not appear to be chosen at random despite claims that they are.
Under Title 52, Section 10307 of federal law, anyone who “pays or offers to pay or accepts payment either for registration to vote or for voting” may be subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 or a maximum of 5 years in prison.