Published: October 17, 2025, 21:45 EDT
Federal prosecutors in Florida have charged election technology company Smartmatic with money laundering and bribery, alleging that several of its executives paid more than $1 million to Philippine election officials to secure contracts and payments related to the country’s 2016 presidential election.
Executives Accused of Paying Bribes to Secure Election Contract
According to a superseding indictment filed Thursday in Miami federal court, the payments were made between 2015 and 2018 to obtain a government contract to manage voting systems and to ensure prompt payment for services rendered during the election.
Three former Smartmatic executives — including company co-founder Roger Piñate — had previously been charged in 2024. At the time, Smartmatic itself was not named as a defendant. Piñate, who no longer works for the company but remains a shareholder, has pleaded not guilty.
Company Denies Allegations, Cites Political Influence
Smartmatic denied the allegations, describing the charges as politically motivated and “targeted.”
“This is again, targeted, political, and unjust,” the company said in a statement. “Smartmatic will continue to stand by its people and principles. We will not be intimidated by those pulling the strings of power.”
The company also claimed that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami had been misled and influenced by undisclosed political interests.
Prosecutors Seek Evidence of Funds Diverted from U.S. Contracts
Prosecutors said they intend to introduce evidence that revenue from a $300 million contract with Los Angeles County to modernize voting systems was diverted into a “slush fund” controlled by Piñate.
According to the filing, the funds were allegedly moved through offshore shell companies, fake invoices, and other channels to conceal their origin.
The government also accused Piñate of secretly bribing Venezuela’s former election chief, allegedly transferring ownership of a luxury Caracas home with a swimming pool to restore ties after Smartmatic’s abrupt 2017 exit from Venezuela.
Background: Smartmatic’s Global Operations and Legal Challenges
Founded more than two decades ago by Venezuelan entrepreneurs, Smartmatic gained early success under the late President Hugo Chávez, who supported electronic voting. The company later expanded operations to more than 25 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, and Zambia.
However, Smartmatic’s global reputation suffered after it accused Venezuela’s government of manipulating election results in 2017. The firm subsequently withdrew from the country.
Defamation Lawsuit Against Fox News Continues
The criminal case comes as Smartmatic pursues a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News in New York. The company claims the network aired false allegations that it helped rig the 2020 U.S. presidential election in favor of Joe Biden.
Smartmatic argues that Fox’s coverage caused severe damage to its reputation and business operations. Fox News has denied wrongdoing, saying its reporting was protected under press freedoms and that Smartmatic’s losses stemmed from internal issues, not media coverage.
A hearing on the new evidence related to Smartmatic’s U.S. and Venezuelan operations is expected next month. The superseding indictment was signed by Jason Reding Quiñones, the recently appointed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
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