Key Points

  • A federal judge in Pennsylvania returned to state court a lawsuit against Elon Musk and his political action committee over their $1 million daily giveaway to voters in swing states.
  • The order came a day after the lawsuit by city District Attorney Larry Krasner was removed to federal court at the request of the Tesla CEO Musk and his America PAC.
  • Krasner’s lawsuit accuses Musk and the PAC, who are supporting Donald Trump over Kamala Harris, of running an illegal lottery.
  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    97
    edit-2
    19 hours ago

    So now they can go into court on Monday and by the end of the day there will be an order that he has to stop his election lottery for an election that happens less than a day later.

    Good job everyone. You did it.

    • Shadow
      link
      fedilink
      3818 hours ago

      My understanding is that if they charge him, it being in a state court means Trump can’t pardon him if he wins.

      • subignition
        link
        fedilink
        2918 hours ago

        The lawsuit in question is a civil matter, not a criminal one, but you are correct that that is the case if a state prosecutor does decide to bring criminal charges

        • @GroundedGator
          link
          515 hours ago

          It could actually be a criminal one but the speculation is that the burden of proof is much higher and this was the DA getting it on the books before the election. Nothing prevents them from bringing criminal charges after putting the evidence before a grand jury.

          • @RestrictedAccount
            link
            214 hours ago

            Exactly, it is a long time before the statute of limitations kicks in

  • Cruxifux
    link
    fedilink
    4818 hours ago

    I wish there was even a sliver of a chance that this meant jail time for this goof.

    • @GroundedGator
      link
      17
      edit-2
      15 hours ago

      I’d be happy if they just deported him. I mean jail time and heavy fines would be the dream but I’ll take him having to leave the country. Isn’t that what they want us to do with foreigners that commit crimes anyway?

      Edit: Reminded this is a civil case so no chance of jail or deportation. Bit of doesn’t hurt to have dreams.

      • @Skullgrid
        link
        1314 hours ago

        Edit: Reminded this is a civil case so no chance of jail or deportation.

        He’s the world’s second richest fucking person. HOW DOES HE GET PUNISHED IF NOT JAIL OR DEPORTATION?! A fine isn’t a real fucking thing, it’s the equivalent of me giving less than a penny even though I commited a crime. It’s basically free for him

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        1117 hours ago

        You should see all the hoops a PTA has to jump through to avoid having a 50/50 drawing classed as an illegal lottery in Pa. It’s ridiculous that it took as long as it did for someone to file suit.

  • @thesohoriots
    link
    English
    719 hours ago

    seeking to chill Defendant Musk’s exercise of his First Amendment rights is absolutely unconstitutional coming from a government official

    Oh wait but he wouldn’t have any 1st amendment protections if (let’s face it, when) he lied to get that H1-B back in the day

    • @Armok_the_bunny
      link
      English
      1918 hours ago

      Nah, the 1st amendment does protect non-citizens as well as citizens.

      • @thesohoriots
        link
        English
        718 hours ago

        I learned something new! Thanks for the correction.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    517 hours ago

    But on Wednesday night, lawyers for Musk and the PAC filed a notice removing the lawsuit to federal court.

    Wait, that’s something the lawyers for the defendant can just do on their own? WTF?