Smartmatic Blames Trump's 'Retribution' for Criminal Prosecution

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Voting technology company Smartmatic is seeking to dismiss a criminal indictment for money laundering, claiming the charges are part of a 'campaign of retribution' by former President Donald Trump and his allies against those they blame for his 2020 election loss. Smartmatic alleges the Justice Department reversed course and decided to press charges against the company when Trump returned to the White House, despite the company's cooperation with the investigation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing political tensions and allegations of election fraud that have persisted since the 2020 presidential election. Smartmatic's claims of a 'campaign of retribution' by Trump raise concerns about the potential politicization of the Justice Department and the use of criminal prosecutions for perceived political purposes.

The details

Smartmatic's parent company, UK-based SGO Corporation, was added to a criminal indictment last Fall previously charging several executives with paying $1 million in bribes to election officials in the Philippines. Smartmatic says it had been cooperating with the Justice Department since 2021, but the department reversed course and decided to press charges against the company when Trump returned to the White House. Smartmatic alleges the decision was prompted by Trump's demands to prosecute his perceived enemies and his claims that Smartmatic helped rig the 2020 election.

• In 2021, Smartmatic first learned of the Justice Department's investigation.
• In the Fall of 2022, Smartmatic's parent company was added to a criminal indictment.
• In 2023, when Trump returned to the White House, the Justice Department decided to press charges against Smartmatic.

What’s next

A trial date for the executives, including co-founder Roger Pinate, had been set and the judge will decide on whether to dismiss the indictment against Smartmatic.