U.S. Prosecutors Charge Voting Tech Firm Smartmatic With Money Laundering and Bribery Linked to Philippines Election Contracts

Federal prosecutors have charged Smartmatic, the global voting technology company, with money laundering and other crimes connected to over $1 million in alleged bribes paid to election officials in the Philippines, according to a new indictment filed Thursday in federal court in Florida.

The superseding indictment accuses former company executives of paying bribes between 2015 and 2018 in exchange for securing lucrative government contracts to help run the Philippines’ 2016 presidential election and to ensure timely payments for their services.

Executives Previously Charged — Now Smartmatic Itself Named

Three former Smartmatic executives — including co-founder Roger Piñate — were first charged in 2024, though at that time, the company itself was not listed as a defendant. Piñate, who no longer works for Smartmatic but remains a shareholder, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The new indictment marks a major escalation, directly implicating Smartmatic’s corporate entity, which is headquartered in South Florida, in an alleged scheme of corruption and international bribery.

A Criminal Case Amid a $2.7 Billion Defamation Battle

The criminal proceedings come as Smartmatic is also embroiled in a high-profile $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, accusing the network of spreading false claims that the company rigged the 2020 U.S. presidential election to favor Joe Biden over Donald Trump.

Smartmatic has repeatedly denied those claims, arguing that Fox amplified baseless conspiracy theories promoted by Trump’s allies in the aftermath of the election.

In a statement responding to the new criminal charges, the company denied any wrongdoing and claimed the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami had been “misled and politically influenced by powerful hidden forces.”

“This is yet another deliberate, politically motivated, and unjust action,” Smartmatic said.
“Smartmatic will continue to defend its employees and its principles. We will not be intimidated by shadowy figures pulling the strings of power.”

The Alleged $300 Million “Black Fund”

As part of the ongoing case, prosecutors said in August that they were seeking court approval to introduce evidence showing that revenue from a $300 million contract with Los Angeles County — meant to modernize its voting system — was allegedly diverted into a secret “black fund.”

According to the filing, the fund was controlled by Piñate through a network of offshore shell companies, fake invoices, and other fraudulent means.

Prosecutors allege that this illicit financial structure was designed to conceal improper payments and channel funds toward personal or political ends.

Bribery Allegations Involving Venezuelan Officials

In addition to the Philippines case, prosecutors have also accused Piñate of secretly bribing Venezuela’s longtime election chief, allegedly gifting her a luxury home with a swimming pool in Caracas.

Authorities say the property was transferred to the official in an attempt to “repair relations” after Smartmatic abruptly withdrew from Venezuela in 2017 — a move the company made after accusing President Nicolás Maduro’s government of manipulating results in the constitutional assembly election.

The alleged Venezuelan connection, along with the Los Angeles County evidence, will be reviewed during an evidentiary hearing next month.

However, those specific accusations were not included in the latest formal indictment, which was signed by Jason Reding Quiñones, the newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida under President Trump’s administration.

From Venezuelan Startup to Global Powerhouse

Smartmatic was founded more than two decades ago by a group of Venezuelan entrepreneurs who quickly rose to prominence by managing electronic voting systems during the presidency of Hugo Chávez, a vocal advocate of digitalized elections.

The company’s success in Venezuela propelled its global expansion, eventually providing voting machines and election technology in 25 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Zambia.

But after its public break with Maduro’s regime in 2017, Smartmatic relocated much of its operation abroad — focusing heavily on contracts in the United States and Europe.

From Global Growth to Global Scrutiny

Despite its technological innovation, Smartmatic’s reputation has been repeatedly tested. The company found itself at the center of political firestorms in both Latin America and the U.S.

Its voting systems were used in numerous elections worldwide, often in politically volatile regions, drawing suspicion and controversy from critics and conspiracy theorists alike.

The Fox News defamation suit represents a pivotal moment for Smartmatic — one that could determine not only its financial survival but also its public credibility.

Fox, for its part, argues that its election coverage was “newsworthy and protected under the First Amendment.” The network maintains that it ultimately aired corrections and statements rebutting false claims after Smartmatic’s legal team issued formal complaints.

Fox attorneys also contend that Smartmatic’s business decline stemmed not from media reports but from its own internal misconduct, an argument that could now gain traction in light of the new criminal charges.

A Company at a Crossroads

The new charges deepen an already complex legal and political drama surrounding Smartmatic — a company once seen as a pioneer in the global push for secure, digital democracy.

Legal experts say the case could have far-reaching implications, not only for Smartmatic’s future contracts but for the broader trust in electronic voting systems worldwide.

If convicted, the company and its executives could face substantial fines, sanctions, and debarment from future government contracts.

Still, Smartmatic insists that it is the target of a politically motivated campaign aimed at discrediting its role in modernizing elections and undermining its defamation suit against Fox News.

“Our mission has always been to strengthen democracy through technology,” Smartmatic said in its statement.
“We will continue that mission, no matter how much opposition or misinformation we face.”

What’s Next

The evidentiary hearing regarding the Los Angeles and Venezuela-related allegations is expected to take place next month, potentially revealing new financial records and internal communications.

Observers say the outcome could determine whether the Department of Justice broadens the case to include additional international bribery charges — and whether Smartmatic’s global operations can survive under the mounting legal pressure.

For now, one thing is clear:
The company that once promised to make elections fairer and more transparent now finds itself fighting for its own credibility in courtrooms around the world.