The attorney general of Wisconsin seeks to prevent Elon Musk from giving $ 2 million (1.5 million pounds sterling) to two voters before the elections of the Supreme Court of the State.
In a trial, the Attorney General Josh Kaul qualified the offer of “blatant attempt to buy votes” and allegedly alleged that the technological billionaire and his political action committee violated the electoral laws of Wisconsin.
The elections of April 1, which attracted national attention, will determine whether the highest jurisdiction of Wisconsin will have a liberal or conservative majority.
On March 27, Mr. Musk posted on X that he would give a conference in Wisconsin on Sunday and “personally put two checks for a million dollars each in appreciation for you to take the time to vote”.
Musk, one of the main advisers of American president Donald Trump, said in a tweet the next day he would give checks to two people “spokespersons” for a petition promoted by his political action committee, America PAC.
The petition asks voters to reject the “militant judges”.
His page promises Wisconsin voters $ 100 for signing the petition, and an additional $ 100 to refer to another person to sign.
America PAC said Thursday that a man named Scott Ainsworth by Green Bay, Wisconsin, was the first “spokesperson for a million dollars for signing our petition”.
A video published by the CAP showed Mr. Ainsworth sitting next to a large check decorated with an American flag design, encouraging others to sign.
America Pac did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
Kaul, a democrat, said that his office “was determined to ensure that the elections in the Wisconsin are safe, safe, free and fair.”
With the retirement of liberal justice in the court, the newly open seat will determine whether the court leans towards the liberals or the conservatives, potentially shaping the laws of the states for the years to come.
The breed is considered a national Bellwether for the strength of the republican party and the agenda of Trump, and attracted the collection of record funds and national political figures in Wisconsin.
The race is between the Dane County Circuit Judge, Susan Crawford, who is supported by the Democrats, and the county judge of Waukesha, Brad Schimel, who has the support of the Republicans.
Trump and Mr. Musk have always approved Schimel on their social media accounts.
Mr. Musk will give a conference in the state on Sunday.
He said on X that “entry is limited to those who signed the petition in opposition to militant judges”.
The Brennan Center for Justice, a liberal judicial thinking group, said that a record of $ 81 million was collected in total for the Wisconsin race.
This is not the first time that Mr. Musk has made a legal examination during an election.
During the presidential campaign of 2024, Mr. Musk, who supported Trump, undertook to give $ 1 million every day to a voter recorded in key swing states that would determine the outcome of the elections.
The winners had to be drawn from a lottery style from a list of people who signed a petition with America PAC.
The United States Ministry of Justice, under the former president Joe Biden, sent Mr. Musk a letter warning him that the competition could violate federal electoral laws.
