"Federal prosecutors have charged voting technology firm Smartmatic with money laundering and other crimes arising from more than $1 million in bribes that several executives allegedly paid to election officials in the Philippines. The payments, between 2015 and 2018, were made to obtain a contract with the Philippines government to help run that country's 2016 presidential election and secure the timely payment for its work, according to a superseding indictment filed Thursday in a Florida federal court."
"As part of the criminal case, prosecutors in August sought the court's permission to introduce evidence they argue shows that revenue from a $300 million contract with Los Angeles County to help modernize its voting systems was diverted to a " slush fund" controlled by Pinate through the use of overseas shell companies, fake invoices and other means. They also accused Pinate of secretly bribing Venezuela's longtime election chief by giving her a luxury home with a pool in Caracas."
Federal prosecutors charged Smartmatic with money laundering and related crimes tied to more than $1 million in alleged bribes paid to Philippine election officials between 2015 and 2018 to obtain a contract and ensure payment. Three former executives, including co-founder Roger Pinate, were previously charged; Pinate has pleaded not guilty and remains a shareholder. Smartmatic denies the allegations and claims political influence affected the U.S. Attorney's Office. Prosecutors allege revenue from a $300 million Los Angeles County contract was funneled into a slush fund controlled by Pinate via shell companies and fake invoices, and that Pinate bribed Venezuela's election chief with a luxury home.
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