Did Barack Obama Just Break the Law? Fundraising Lottery Could be Illegal.

The Husaria: For Our Freedom and Yours ^ | 11/01/08 | Winged Hussar 1683

[Winged Hussar]

Unauthorized lotteries are illegal in most jurisdictions, and it is illegal to promote them through the U.S. Mail.

The Obama campaign has already been warned by law enforcement officials against running lotteries in Minnesota. Minnesota's Department of Public Safety counseled Obama for America allow entry without making a donation... The Obama campaign agreed to do so, but it broke this promise to Minnesota's law enforcement agencies as of October 31 2008.

We are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, but Missouri's definition of illegal gambling is typical of that in most states. Bracketed material relates these definitions to the latest E-mail from the Obama campaign, "Will You Join Me on Election Night?" Note also that Barack Obama, an attorney, signed his name to the solicitation that appears below.

Three elements make up an illegal promotion:

1. Prize is any benefit, cash or property awarded to a winner. ["If you're selected, you can bring a guest, and we'll fly you in and put you up in a hotel for the night. You'll go backstage at the big event and -- no matter what happens -- you'll have a front row seat to history as we celebrate the supporters who got us over the finish line."]

2. Chance means the winner is chosen by “luck” with little or no skill or ability involved. ["We're saving some of the best seats in the house for 5 people who make their first donation to the campaign before Sunday at midnight. If you're selected..."]

3. Consideration is the exchange of something of value for the opportunity to participate in the game. ["Any donation counts -- whatever you can afford. Show your support at this crucial time with a donation of $5 or more, and you could join me on Election Night"]

[toughwuss]

He’s done the same thing before, no one cares unfortunately... i remember a few months ago a story coming out that the o campaign did a similar lottery type fundraiser and the city officials said it was against the law, but somehow the o got out of it by some loophole or something...