The U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation into a Texas-based political action committee following the release of a covert video alleging improper voting incentives in the upcoming midterm elections. The probe centers on Texas Majority PAC, a Democratic group, after footage surfaced showing a former employee discussing the group’s approach to compensating individuals participating in voter outreach efforts.

The video, captured by hidden cameras and disseminated by a conservative media outlet last month, features Sky MacAdams, once an organizing manager for the PAC, explaining what he described as a “roundabout” method to financially incentivize voters. MacAdams, who has since been terminated from his position, stated in the recording that the group pays participants $25 to attend a one-hour Zoom session designed to educate them on the significance of voting and criticize Republican policies.

Federal election law prohibits any direct payment in exchange for votes or voting for specific candidates, with potential penalties including imprisonment for up to two years. MacAdams acknowledged these legal boundaries, emphasizing that while voters cannot be paid directly to cast ballots for certain candidates, the PAC compensates individuals for attending educational sessions. He characterized the arrangement as operating within a “gray” legal area, and remarked that if he were affiliated with the Republican Party, he would view the practice as questionable.

Eddie Vale, a spokesperson for Texas Majority PAC, responded to the allegations by asserting that MacAdams’s explanation misrepresented the organization’s activities. Vale described the group’s efforts as a legitimate “relational organizing program,” wherein Texans are hired to participate in events that train them on mobilizing friends and family to engage civically. He maintained that participants are remunerated for their organizing work, akin to any other form of employment, and that the PAC’s operations comply with legal standards.

The Justice Department has not publicly released additional details about the status or scope of its investigation. The development adds to ongoing scrutiny of political organizations and their strategies for voter engagement ahead of a closely watched election cycle.