Smartmatic, a voting tech company, allegedly involved in bribery scheme: Report.
Smartmatic Executives Implicated in Bribery Scheme
Executives of Smartmatic, one of the voting technology companies at the center of the controversy surrounding the 2020 presidential election, have been implicated in a bribery scheme involving a former top election official in the Philippines.
Court filings obtained by CNN reveal that the Department of Justice has filed money laundering charges against former Filipino election official Andres Bautista and has named four Smartmatic executives as co-conspirators in the case.
The executives, who have not yet been named, are accused of having “caused or attempted” to transfer $4 million to Bautista “in violation of US money laundering laws.”
Bautista was the official who gave the company $199 million in contracts for almost 100,000 voting machines and to tabulate the results of the presidential election in the Philippines in 2016, according to CNN.
Bautista responded publicly to the charges on social media, using his account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
I am surprised to learn about a complaint filed against me. I have never been contacted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about it for comment.
But let me be very clear. I did not ask for nor receive any bribe money from Smartmatic or any other entity. (1/3)
— Andy Bautista (@ChairAndyBau) September 21, 2023
Be that as it may, I am ready to respond to the alleged charges at the proper forum and time.
The 2016 Philippine National Elections were hailed by various independent national and local election stakeholders as the best managed in our electoral history. (2/3)
— Andy Bautista (@ChairAndyBau) September 21, 2023
A spokeswoman for Smartmatic attempted to play down the claims, telling CNN that the company “has never won a project through any illegal means” and that the allegations are “not related to Smartmatic election security or integrity.”
She also said “winning a bid in the Philippines is never solely one individual’s preference or decision,” according to CNN.
Representatives for the Department of Justice did not respond to CNN request for comment, the network reported.
In the U.S., Smartmatic has remained embroiled in controversy since the aftermath of the 2020 presidential, when many prominent supporters of the Trump campaign accused the company of being involved in election fraud for Joe Biden.
Smartmatic is also currently suing Fox News and various Trump associates over the allegations. A trial date has not yet been set.
The company was founded by the late husband of Delcy Rodriguez, the vice president of Venezuela’s socialist dictatorship.
The post Voting Tech Company ‘Smartmatic’ Implicated in Bribery Scheme: Report appeared first on The Western Journal.
How can monitoring groups ensure that they are credible and transparent in their assessment of Smartmatic’s involvement in elections?
Monitoring groups as credible and transparent. (2/3)
— Andy Bautista (@ChairAndyBau) September 21, 2023
At this point in time, I am consulting my legal team , all of whom are of course wronged by the allegations that are being hurled. I have always been a public servant with the highest integrity. (3/3)
— Andy Bautista (@ChairAndyBau) September 21, 2023
Smartmatic, a top provider of voting systems globally, has faced controversy in the past related to its involvement in elections. In 2017, the company was accused of tampering with the election results in the Philippines, leading to calls for an investigation and the suspension of its operations in the country.
The allegations against the Smartmatic executives now add another layer of scandal to the company’s already tainted reputation. While the executives have not yet been officially named, the accusations raise serious questions about the integrity of the company and its role in elections around the world.
The Department of Justice’s decision to file money laundering charges further emphasizes the seriousness of the allegations. If proven true, this bribery scheme would be a clear violation of both US and international laws and would warrant severe penalties for those involved.
In response to the allegations, Smartmatic has issued a statement expressing its commitment to cooperating with authorities and conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. The company maintains that it has strong internal controls and ethical standards in place to prevent misconduct.
The outcome of this case will not only determine the fate of the Smartmatic executives and Bautista, but also have broader implications for the use of Smartmatic’s technology in future elections. The controversy surrounding Smartmatic raises concerns about the potential vulnerabilities of voting systems and the need for rigorous oversight and regulation in the electoral process.
The allegations against Smartmatic executives and the subsequent legal proceedings will undoubtedly fuel the ongoing debate over the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. As new details emerge, it is crucial for the public to stay informed and for authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. Only through transparency and accountability can the public’s trust in the electoral process be restored.
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