Smartmatic Seeks to Dismiss Money Laundering Charges Linked to Trump's 'Retribution' After 2020 Loss

Voting tech firm claims prosecution is part of former president's campaign against perceived enemies.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Voting technology firm Smartmatic is seeking to dismiss a criminal indictment for money laundering, blaming former President Donald Trump and his allies for seeking its prosecution as part of a 'campaign of retribution' against those they blame for his 2020 election loss. 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.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing political tensions and legal battles surrounding the 2020 U.S. presidential election, with Smartmatic accusing the Trump administration of using the Justice Department to target the company as part of a broader effort to undermine confidence in the electoral process and punish those it perceives as enemies.

The details

In a motion to dismiss the indictment, Smartmatic's attorneys said the company had been cooperating with the Justice Department since 2021, but that the decision to press charges was prompted by Trump's demands to prosecute his perceived enemies. Prosecutors have also accused Smartmatic of diverting revenue from a $300 million contract with Los Angeles County and secretly bribing Venezuela's election chief.

  • The criminal indictment was filed last Fall.
  • Smartmatic filed a motion to dismiss the charges on March 10, 2026.

The players

Smartmatic

A voting technology firm that provides voting machines and other election technology to countries around the world. Smartmatic's parent company is the UK-based SGO Corporation.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that Smartmatic helped rig the 2020 presidential election that he lost to Joe Biden.

Roger Pinate

The co-founder of Smartmatic, who has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the alleged bribery of election officials in the Philippines.

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What they’re saying

“The prosecution of SGO furthers their collective false narrative that President Trump did not actually lose the 2020 election.”

— Smartmatic (Motion to dismiss indictment)

“The decision was prompted by Trump's demands to prosecute his perceived enemies and his 'mantra' that Smartmatic helped rig the 2020 U.S. presidential election won by Joe Biden — allegations that are at the heart of a a $2.7 billion lawsuit filed by Smartmatic against the president's allies in the media.”

— Smartmatic's attorneys (Motion to dismiss indictment)

What’s next

A trial date for the Smartmatic executives, including co-founder Roger Pinate, had been set prior to the new charges being filed. The judge will now decide whether to dismiss the indictment against Smartmatic.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing political battles and legal disputes surrounding the 2020 U.S. presidential election, with Smartmatic accusing the Trump administration of using the Justice Department to target the company as part of a broader effort to undermine confidence in the electoral process and punish those it perceives as enemies.