Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and ally of former President Donald Trump, has taken steps to transfer a lawsuit regarding his $1 million giveaway to voters into federal court. This move has effectively halted a scheduled appearance in a Pennsylvania court on Thursday.
Legal representatives for Musk submitted a 'motion of removal' in federal court late Wednesday night, resulting in Judge Angelo Foglietta acknowledging on Thursday that he no longer holds jurisdiction over the case due to Musk's filing.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who initiated the original lawsuit against Musk, will have the opportunity to present arguments for returning the case to Pennsylvania court. However, Musk's legal maneuver has postponed the hearing that was set to take place in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
During the Thursday hearing, Judge Foglietta questioned the Philadelphia prosecutors regarding their assertion that Musk's giveaway constitutes an illegal lottery under state law. He challenged their stance on linking the sweepstakes to the integrity of the 2024 election, emphasizing that the lawsuit solely focuses on alleged violations of state gaming laws rather than election regulations.
The judge also highlighted that the lottery in question is open to all registered voters, irrespective of their political affiliations, debunking any claims of partisan bias in the giveaway.
By shifting the lawsuit to federal court, Elon Musk has introduced a new legal dimension to the ongoing dispute over his voter giveaway, setting the stage for further legal arguments and deliberations in the coming days.
