Smartmatic Executives Indicted in Florida for Allegedly Bribing Officials in the Philippines
Two top executives at Smartmatic, a prominent voting machine company, have been indicted in Florida for allegedly orchestrating a bribery scheme to secure contracts in the Philippines ahead of the 2016 election. The indictments, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, allege a complex scheme involving money laundering, bribery, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Key Takeaways:
- Smartmatic executives charged: Roger Piñate, President of Smartmatic, and Jorge Miguel Vasquez, another executive, face serious charges, including money laundering and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
- Alleged bribery scheme: The indictment alleges that Piñate and Vasquez laundered money across the globe, including through Florida, to pay an estimated $1 million in bribes to a Philippine official to secure contracts for the 2016 election.
- Smartmatic denies wrongdoing: While the company acknowledges the indictments, it maintains its innocence and emphasizes its commitment to electoral integrity.
- Impact on Smartmatic’s reputation: The indictments come as Smartmatic faces a major defamation lawsuit against Fox News and its parent company over claims that the company rigged the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
A Complex Scheme of Bribes and Money Laundering
The indictment details a sophisticated scheme allegedly orchestrated by Piñate and Vasquez to win contracts for the 2016 Philippine election. The executives are accused of laundering millions of dollars through various countries, including Florida, and using the funds to bribe a high-ranking Philippine official. The indictment further alleges that the executives used shell companies and other methods to conceal the true origins of the funds, disguising them as legitimate business transactions.
The charges against Piñate and Vasquez, if proven, could result in decades-long prison sentences for money laundering and conspiracy charges, and an additional five years for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Smartmatic Responds, Emphasizing Integrity and Transparency
Smartmatic, in a statement issued after the indictments, strongly denies any wrongdoing and vehemently asserts its commitment to conducting elections with the utmost integrity and transparency. The company maintains that it is not the subject of the indictment and highlights that no voter fraud has been alleged.
However, the company acknowledges the seriousness of the situation and expresses concern about the potential impact on its reputation. In the statement, Smartmatic emphasized that its commitment to upholding ethical standards stands firm and that the executives have been placed on a leave of absence pending the outcome of the investigation.
A Complicated History and Ongoing Legal Battles
The indictments against Smartmatic executives come at a time when the company faces heightened scrutiny and is involved in several high-profile legal battles.
In 2020, Smartmatic was the subject of numerous unfounded accusations that its technology was used to manipulate the U.S. presidential election results. These claims, widely promoted by conservative media outlets, gained significant traction despite lacking any credible evidence. In response, Smartmatic filed a high-profile defamation lawsuit against Fox News and its parent company, claiming that the network’s false and defamatory reporting caused significant damage to the company’s reputation and business.
The current indictments, while unrelated to the 2020 election claims, contribute to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Smartmatic. The company’s legal team maintains that the charges against its executives are a distraction tactic employed by Fox News to deflect attention from the defamation lawsuit.
"Fox News is fully aware that they are unable to prevail in a courtroom in the Smartmatic case," said J. Erik Connolly, lead attorney for Smartmatic, "As a result, they have chosen to engage in a smear campaign pitching unrelated news to the media to distract from the established pattern of defamation against Smartmatic. They will be held accountable for the damage they did to Smartmatic and undermining global faith in democracy," he added in a statement.
The Implications for Democracy and Voting Technology
The case against Smartmatic executives raises concerns about the integrity of electoral processes and the transparency of voting technology companies. While Smartmatic has been a major player in the voting technology industry for years, with contracts in various countries, the indictments have brought renewed scrutiny to the company and its practices.
The case also highlights the critical importance of accountability and transparency in the use of voting machines. As technology continues to play a larger role in elections, ensuring that electoral processes are fair, accurate, and secure is crucial for maintaining public trust in democracy.
The indictments against Smartmatic executives are a significant development with broad implications for the voting technology industry and the future of elections. The case will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized, and its outcome could have a major impact on how the industry operates and how voters perceive the integrity of their electoral systems.
