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.

Source: AP News – US prosecutors charge Smartmatic in alleged $1M Philippines bribery case

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Published Time: 08-18-2025, 21:55

Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems, ending a high-profile defamation lawsuit linked to false claims about the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The settlement, disclosed in a recent financial filing, spares the conservative news outlet from facing a jury trial that could have further damaged its reputation and finances.

Settlement Details

According to the filing, Newsmax will pay Dominion $27 million immediately, followed by $40 million spread over the next two years. The agreement was finalized last week and revealed publicly on Monday.

Dominion Voting Systems, which provides election technology across the United States, confirmed the settlement but offered no further comment. “We are pleased to have settled this matter,” a Dominion spokesperson told CNN.

Notably, the agreement does not require Newsmax to issue an on-air apology or acknowledgment of its role in spreading false claims about the company.

The Origins of the Lawsuit

Dominion filed its lawsuit against Newsmax in August 2021, after the network aired allegations that the company had helped rig the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden. These unfounded claims were widely promoted by allies of former President Donald Trump, including commentators and guests on Newsmax programs.

Following Trump’s loss, a wave of conspiracy theories emerged suggesting that Dominion’s voting machines were manipulated. The allegations, later proven false, became central to lawsuits brought by Dominion against several media organizations and individuals.

Court Rulings and Trial Postponement

Earlier this year, a Delaware judge determined that Newsmax had aired defamatory content regarding Dominion, specifically by amplifying baseless accusations of election fraud. The judge noted that a jury would need to decide whether the network acted with actual malice and to determine appropriate damages.

A trial was initially set for April but was postponed by the court due to an unrelated professional matter. Before proceedings could resume, both parties reached the $67 million settlement agreement.

Comparison to Fox News Settlement

The outcome echoes a similar case involving Fox News. In April 2023, Fox reached a record $787.5 million settlement with Dominion, avoiding what was expected to be a lengthy and damaging trial. That payout had a significant financial impact on Fox Corporation’s quarterly earnings.

While the Newsmax settlement is much smaller in scale, the network’s audience and revenues are also far smaller. Newsmax’s viewership is estimated at roughly one-tenth the size of Fox’s cable news audience.

Ongoing Defamation Cases

The legal battles stemming from false election claims are far from over. Dominion and other voting technology companies, such as Smartmatic, continue to pursue lawsuits against media outlets and public figures who promoted baseless fraud allegations.

Smartmatic, which also provides election software, is currently engaged in a major defamation lawsuit against Fox News. Newsmax previously settled with Smartmatic for $40 million in 2024, also on the eve of trial.

These settlements highlight the long-lasting consequences of misinformation campaigns tied to the 2020 election. Nearly five years later, courts remain a key battleground for accountability and reputational repair.

Broader Implications

The $67 million agreement underscores the financial risks media outlets face when amplifying false narratives without evidence. Legal experts note that these settlements serve as a warning to news organizations about the potential costs of airing unverified claims.

While Newsmax avoids the uncertainty of a jury verdict, the settlement adds to a growing list of costly legal defeats for media platforms that supported conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election.

For Dominion, the deal continues its strategy of seeking redress through the courts after facing a wave of reputational damage and security threats in the aftermath of the election.

Source: CNN – Newsmax pays $67 million to settle Dominion lawsuit over network’s 2020 election lies

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