Elon Musk failed to appear at a required hearing in a Philadelphia lawsuit challenging the daily sweepstakes. Musk’s absence risked him being held in contempt of court if the case had continued in Pennsylvania state court, but the case was moved to federal court at the request of Musk’s lawyers who attended the hearing. Ta. No hearing was immediately scheduled in the federal case.
Judge Angelo Folietta agreed that Musk should have appeared in person at the hearing as a named defendant in the lawsuit brought by District Attorney Larry Krasner, but declined to impose immediate sanctions on the tech mogul. Musk’s lawyer said his client was not allowed to “appear” in court with just the night’s notice.
Mr. Krasner’s team challenged the idea that the SpaceX founder could not arrive in Philadelphia, prompting a swift rebuttal from the judge.
“Lawyer, he’s not going to land on a building on a rocket ship,” Forietta replied.
A judge on Wednesday ordered all parties, including Musk, to appear at a hearing Thursday morning. Musk’s lawyers had filed a motion later that day to move the case from Pennsylvania state court to federal court, which was granted shortly after Musk failed to appear in court.
Lawyers for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office called the transfer to the high court a “despicable” delaying tactic designed to “turn the clock forward until Election Day” and asked that the case be sent back to state court. The federal judge overseeing the case ordered Musk’s lawyers to respond by Friday morning. Musk’s lawyers had argued that state court was not the appropriate venue and that the Philadelphia district attorney was involved in thinly veiled campaign activity.
“Rather, although disguised as state law claims, the focus of the complaint is to prevent defendants from ‘interfering’ in the upcoming federal presidential election by any means necessary,” the Tesla CEO’s attorney said. I’m writing.
In the first lawsuit, Mr. Krasner argued that Mr. Musk’s petition and related contests “undoubtedly violate” certain Pennsylvania laws against illegal lottery tickets. Musk’s lawyers said he engaged in legally protected political speech and political spending.
Prosecutor’s Office attorney John Summers told the judge on Thursday that Musk’s Pack “brazenly” continued the sweepstakes despite the lawsuit and had won about 1 million prizes since the sweepstakes began, including one on the day of the hearing. He said he awarded about 13 dollar checks.
“They’re doing things in the dark. We don’t know what rules are being followed. We don’t know how they randomly select people.” said Summers. “That’s outrageous.”
The cash donation came from Musk’s political group, which is helping Donald Trump in key battleground states seen as key to victory for both Trump and his opponent, Kamala Harris. The aim is to support the presidential election campaign.
Mr. Krasner, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to block the America Pac sweepstakes. The sweepstakes will run through Election Day and is open to registered voters in battleground states who sign a petition in support of the Constitution. Musk has been tweeting photos of winners holding novelty checks.
Krasner said he still may consider criminal charges, saying he has a mission to protect the public from both illegal lottery tickets and “interference with election integrity.”
Election law experts have questioned whether Musk’s drawing violates federal law that prohibits people from paying others to vote. Mr. Musk put the money into his prize money and as income from his job as the group’s spokesperson.
