Elon Musk and his political action committee, America Political Action Committee (PAC) have been ordered to appear before a Philadelphia court hearing Thursday amid a lawsuit filed by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
The suit, submitted on Monday, aims to halt a $1 million giveaway by America PAC to U.S. voters in key battleground states ahead of the 5 November U.S. election, Reuters reports.
Prosecutors allege the initiative is an “illegal lottery” to entice Pennsylvania residents to share personal data.
“It is further ordered that all parties must be present at the time of the hearing,” a judge wrote in Wednesday’s order from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
Initially set for Friday, the hearing was moved up to Thursday morning.
The giveaway, which supports Republican former President Donald Trump’s campaign, promises $1 million to a voter each day who signs Musk’s online petition advocating free speech and gun rights.
Experts differ on whether the incentive violates federal law prohibiting payments to influence voter registration, with the Justice Department issuing a warning to America PAC regarding potential legal breaches.
Polls suggest a close race between Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Neither Musk nor America PAC has responded to requests for comment on the case.