A Smartmatic representative demonstrates his company’s system which has scanners and touch screens with printout options, at a meeting of the Secure, Accessible & Fair Elections Commission, Aug. 30, 2018, in Grovetown, Ga. Associated Press
Federal prosecutors in the United States have filed criminal charges against voting technology company Smartmatic. The allegations center on over $1 million in bribes paid to Philippine election officials. The payments, prosecutors say, occurred between 2015 and 2018 to secure a government contract for the 2016 presidential election.
Bribes to Win Government Contracts
According to a superseding indictment filed Thursday in Florida federal court, Smartmatic executives allegedly paid election officials to ensure the company obtained the contract. Prosecutors also claim the bribes guaranteed timely payment for Smartmatic’s election services.
Previously, three former Smartmatic executives, including co-founder Roger Pinate, faced charges in 2024. At that time, Smartmatic as a corporate entity was not included. Pinate, who is no longer employed by Smartmatic but retains shares, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Legal Battles on Multiple Fronts
The criminal case emerges while Smartmatic is pursuing a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News. The company claims the network spread false accusations that Smartmatic helped rig the 2020 U.S. presidential election, won by Joe Biden over Donald Trump.
In response to the U.S. charges, Smartmatic issued a statement denying wrongdoing. The company suggested that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami may have been misled or politically influenced by unspecified powerful interests.
Allegations of Slush Funds and Overseas Bribes
Prosecutors have sought permission to introduce evidence suggesting that revenue from a $300 million Los Angeles County contract was diverted to a “slush fund” controlled by Pinate. The indictment claims that Pinate used shell companies and fake invoices to manipulate these funds.
In addition, Pinate is accused of bribing Venezuela’s former election chief with a luxury home in Caracas. Prosecutors allege the property was given to restore relations after Smartmatic abruptly left Venezuela in 2017. The company had accused President Nicolas Maduro’s government of manipulating election results for a constituent assembly vote.
A hearing regarding evidence tied to the Los Angeles and Venezuela dealings is scheduled for next month. However, these accusations are not included in the current superseding indictment, signed by Jason Reding Quinones, the U.S. Attorney for Southern Florida appointed under Trump.
Smartmatic’s Global Election Footprint
Founded over two decades ago by Venezuelans, Smartmatic first gained attention for running elections under Hugo Chavez’s presidency, who supported electronic voting. The company later expanded globally, providing election technology to 25 countries, from Argentina to Zambia.
Despite its global reach, Smartmatic’s business has suffered in recent years. The company claims that Fox News’ coverage, which allowed Trump’s legal team to allege election manipulation, damaged its reputation. Fox has stated it was reporting newsworthy events. After Smartmatic’s complaints, the network aired a rebuttal.
Ongoing Defamation Dispute
Smartmatic continues to vigorously defend its defamation lawsuit in New York. The company argues that its financial struggles stem from internal challenges rather than negative media coverage. The court battle highlights the intersection of corporate accountability, media reporting, and election integrity.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case against Smartmatic raises broader questions about corporate influence in international elections and the accountability of tech companies providing essential voting infrastructure.
