Donald Trump’s former impeachment attorney Bruce Castor, is the latest legal expert to raise concerns about pro-Trump billionaire Elon Musk’s cash giveaway to voters in swing states.
Musk plans to give away $1 million each day until November’s election to someone who signs his online petition from America PAC, which he started to help get Trump re-elected. The petition ostensibly asks signees to pledge their support to the First and Second Amendments.
Anyone can sign but only voters in swing states are eligible for the prize.
“I think it’s questionable,” Castor, Pennsylvania’s former acting Attorney General told NewsNation, according to a clip highlighted by Mediaite. “Under Pennsylvania law, the definition of what’s called a lottery is pretty broad. I used to get cases all the time where somebody wanted to raffle off a car or some valuable item – even if it was for charity – and I would have to say, ‘Look, you can’t do this. You have to try to find another way.’”
It is a federal crime to pay people with the intention of inducing or rewarding them to cast a vote or to get registered. It is an offense punishable by imprisonment.
“It’s paying people to encourage them to register. So, what’s happening is that he’s creating an incentive for people to register to vote so they could potentially win this prize,” Castor said of Musk’s scheme. “So, he’s enhancing registration with a financial incentive. That’s a problem in both state and federal law.”
“Pennsylvania, like every other state that runs lotteries, wants a monopoly, and anything that has to do with chance – even if what you’re you’re doing is signing a petition to get the chance – the state is against,” he added.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), who formerly served as the state’s attorney general called Musk’s giveaway “concerning”
“I think it’s something that law enforcement could take a look at…..it does raise serious questions,” he added.
Several former Republican lawmakers, advisers and Justice Department officials have also called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Musk’s giveaway.
There are also questions about whether Musk’s scheme is effective at turning out new voters for Trump or is just tapping into the existing pool of Trump supporters.
Two Pennsylvania voters have won Musk’s lottery so far. They are both Republicans who have voted on-presidential elections and already cast their ballots by mail in this year’s election, according to Politico.
