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A political action committee (PAC) aligned with Elon Musk has drawn the attention of the U.S. Justice Department for a controversial sweepstakes aimed at voters in swing states. The PAC, known as America PAC, offers million-dollar prizes to individuals who sign petitions supporting First and Second Amendment rights. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has warned that this unusual tactic might be violating federal laws.

 

Robert Heberle, the head of the DOJ’s Election Crimes Branch, issued a warning letter to an attorney representing America PAC, cautioning that the sweepstakes might breach a federal statute prohibiting the payment of individuals to vote or register to vote. According to a person familiar with the situation, Heberle’s message suggested the sweepstakes could violate this law, which includes penalties of up to five years in prison or fines up to $10,000 for each violation. The source requested anonymity because the letter has not been made public. This warning was first reported by 24sight News.

 

The DOJ has refrained from commenting further on the issue, and Chris Gober, the lawyer for America PAC, has yet to respond to inquiries. As of Tuesday, the PAC claimed to have already awarded four $1 million prizes. Three of the recipients were from Pennsylvania, and one was from North Carolina. Initially promoted as an incentive to get voters in seven key swing states to register, the PAC now refers to the prize winners as spokespeople for the organization rather than simply participants in the sweepstakes.

 

Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump's attempt to return to the White House. The sweepstakes he supports has prompted legal experts to weigh in, with some saying the offer clearly violates the law. These experts argue that federal statutes make it a felony to offer payments related to voter registration or voting in federal elections.

 

However, there are differing legal opinions on whether the sweepstakes truly violates the law. Some attorneys suggest that Musk’s plan does not constitute a direct payment for voter registration since the prize recipients must have already registered before signing the PAC’s petition. Furthermore, the law requires proof that someone “knowingly or willfully” violated the statute. Musk’s legal team may have advised him in a way that could shield him and the PAC from prosecution.

 

Although concerns have been raised, election-related investigations by the Justice Department tend to be lengthy, sometimes taking months or even years. It is unlikely that this issue will be resolved before voters head to the polls on Election Day.

 

Based on a report from Politico 2024-10-24

 

 

 

[Tug]

10k isent even pocket change for musk…..now jail might get his attention this loophole needs to be closed …….

[Jingthing]

10 minutes ago, Tug said:

10k isent even pocket change for musk…..now jail might get his attention this loophole needs to be closed …….

True but I doubt he would enjoy prison.

[EVENKEEL]

12 minutes ago, Tug said:

10k isent even pocket change for musk…..now jail might get his attention this loophole needs to be closed …….

They're signing a petition, that's it. Musk is a showman, ooh he's a bad man. He's helping Trump, let's arrest him. Put him in jail, for helping Trump.

[frank83628]

'

The source requested anonymity because the letter has not been made public'.

 

how convenient