The Southern District of Florida has indicted three executives of election voting machine and service provider Smartmatic, as well as a former Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) of the Philippines.
The accusations center around the facilitation of at least $1 million in bribes in relation to the provision of voting machines and election services for the 2016 Philippines elections, as well as the release of value-added tax payments.
According to reports, the co-conspirators funded the bribes by over-invoicing the cost per voting machine, creating a slush fund.
To conceal these corrupt payments, they utilized coded language and fabricated contracts and sham loan agreements. Subsequently, they allegedly laundered the proceeds through bank accounts in Asia, Europe, and the United States, including Florida.
Smartmatic’s President Roger Pinate and another executive named Vasquez face charges including conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and substantive counts of the FCPA.
Additionally, Pinate, Vasquez, Bautista, and Elie Moreno are each charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and international laundering of monetary instruments.
If convicted, Pinate and Vasquez could each receive up to five years in prison for the FCPA charges. Moreover, all four defendants face up to 20 years for each count of money laundering.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made this announcement alongside U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) Miami are also involved in investigating this case.
Smartmatic is currently engaged in litigation against Fox News while also providing services in cities such as Los Angeles, London, Belgium, Argentina, and the Philippines.
The indictments brought forward by federal authorities shed light on an alleged scheme involving significant sums of money being funneled through various channels to secure business contracts related to elections in a foreign country.
The complexity and international nature of these allegations highlight the substantial investigative efforts being undertaken by law enforcement agencies.
The involvement of high-ranking executives from a prominent election service provider has raised concerns about potential impacts on democratic processes in multiple countries where Smartmatic operates.
The company’s extensive global footprint underscores the potential scope and ramifications of these allegations.
As this case unfolds through legal proceedings in federal court, it is likely to draw attention not only from legal experts but also from individuals concerned about electoral integrity worldwide.
The outcome of this trial will not only hold significance for those directly involved but may also influence future policies surrounding election services and foreign business practices.
These indictments mark a significant development with far-reaching implications due to their potential impact on electoral processes both within the Philippines and globally.
The alleged involvement of key figures within Smartmatic underscores concerns regarding transparency and integrity within election service providers operating across multiple countries.
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