Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(142,936 posts)
Tue Nov 5, 2024, 04:18 AM Nov 5

Elon Musk's lawyer says $1M giveaway winners not randomly chosen, which could raise legal issues

Source: NBC News

Nov. 4, 2024, 5:13 PM EST


A lawyer for Elon Musk said in a Philadelphia courtroom Monday that the winners of Musk’s $1 million daily prize giveaway in election swing states are not chosen at random, contradicting what Musk said when he announced the contest last month.

Legal experts told NBC News that the disclosure could have legal fallout for Musk across multiple jurisdictions under laws designed to protect consumers from deceptive practices.

“This is absolutely, unambiguously illegal,” Christopher Peterson, a University of Utah law professor who specializes in consumer protection, said in an email. “You cannot lawfully lie to the public about conducting a random sweepstakes, lottery, or contest and then rig the results to hand-select the winners,” he said. “It really is not complicated. This is just fraud; a simple, ugly fraud on the public.”

He said Musk and his super PAC’s behavior could be “both a civil wrong and a crime.” Musk’s America PAC declined to comment on that analysis or the views of other legal experts. Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musks-lawyer-says-1m-winners-arent-randomly-chosen-raise-legal-is-rcna178711

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Elon Musk's lawyer says $1M giveaway winners not randomly chosen, which could raise legal issues (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Nov 5 OP
Merrick Garland may sleep on this one, but Philly DA Larry Krasner will not. Ramsey Barner Nov 5 #1
This is under FTC's and possibly FEC's jurisdiction BumRushDaShow Nov 5 #2
"Legal experts told NBC News that the disclosure could have legal fallout for Musk across multiple jurisdictions..." Ramsey Barner Nov 5 #4
This idiotic obsession with Garland BumRushDaShow Nov 5 #5
Ya know. This should be easy travelingthrulife Nov 5 #3

BumRushDaShow

(142,936 posts)
2. This is under FTC's and possibly FEC's jurisdiction
Tue Nov 5, 2024, 06:59 AM
Nov 5

and this is why I have this sig graphic -



DU seriously needs a "Civics 101" group because the perhaps sincere lack of knowledge of how our federal government is configured and how it was designed to work, is truly breathtaking.

Ramsey Barner

(669 posts)
4. "Legal experts told NBC News that the disclosure could have legal fallout for Musk across multiple jurisdictions..."
Tue Nov 5, 2024, 11:50 AM
Nov 5

and one of those jurisdictions is Pennsylvania, and the PA AG and the Philadelphia DA may now have a new cause of action, unless PA does not have "laws designed to protect consumers from deceptive practices. "

I was referring to Merrick Garland's lack of substantive action to date against Musk in general ("this one" meaning Musk's scheme), not to any possible independent FEC or FTC action on the Musk's attorney's latest admission.

I don't appreciate your condescension. Please give people the benefit of the doubt.

BumRushDaShow

(142,936 posts)
5. This idiotic obsession with Garland
Tue Nov 5, 2024, 12:19 PM
Nov 5

continues to confound and STILL shows how many have no clue how the federal governement operates.

DOJ is the "legal arm" FOR THE REST OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES, along with having control over the Bureau of Prisons, ATF, the U.S. Marshalls, etc.

EVERY AGENCY HAS ITS OWN MISSION AND ASSIGNED REGULATED INDUSTRY AND WILL FOLLOW THEIR OWN INTERNAL PROCESS AS FAR AS THEY CAN TO RESOLVE ANY ISSUES BEFORE DOJ IS BROUGHT IN.

Capiche?

People have been counseled on these roles over the past 15 years here and they ignored it because they still want a "boogieman".

I saw the same shit happen here on DU when it came to Eric Holder, demanding that he personally "lock up" Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld and the whole cabal, and it was just as pathetic.

Amazing that the GOP AGs like Jeff Sessions (remember him?) or Bill Barr, got a complete pass.

travelingthrulife

(796 posts)
3. Ya know. This should be easy
Tue Nov 5, 2024, 08:58 AM
Nov 5

The guy is an illegal immigrant who should have been deported prior to his reign of terror in this country. Come on immigration and Naturalization department. Fess up to your lack of inquiry with this fascist monster.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Elon Musk's lawyer says $...