Prosecutors link LA contract to Smartmatic ‘slush fund’ as voting tech firm battles Fox in court
August 20, 2025
The voting technology company suing Fox News for defamation is now entangled in a widening bribery investigation. Federal prosecutors in Miami last year charged Smartmatic’s co-founder Roger Pinate with bribing the elections chief in the Philippines in exchange for a contract there. In a new filing this month, prosecutors say Pinate diverted proceeds from a $300 million elections contract with Los Angeles County to a slush fund used to bribe foreign officials. Pinate has pleaded not guilty. Smartmatic has not been charged. Fox News is nonetheless using the allegations to question Smartmatic’s business reputation. L.A. County maintains it was unaware of any illegal activity and that Smartmatic complied with contractual obligations.