Smartmatic refuses to share details on bribery charges against co-founder with Fox News
- A judge ruled that Smartmatic is not obligated to release any information to Fox News concerning allegations involving U.S. federal charges against Roger Piñate.
- The charges relate to attempts from 2015 to 2018 to bribe a Filipino election official in connection with deploying voting machines.
- Smartmatic's legal actions are focused on addressing ongoing False claims and protecting its reputation amid the allegations.
In New York, Smartmatic, a voting technology company, was not compelled to provide Fox News with data concerning federal charges against Roger Piñate, who co-founded the company. The case revolves around accusations that Piñate and two other executives attempted to bribe a Filipino election official to facilitate the deployment of their voting machines between 2015 and 2018. The indictment alleges that over $1 million in bribes were paid through fictitious loan agreements and inflated equipment charges. Smartmatic asserts that the False claims broadcast by Fox News regarding the integrity of elections have damaged its business reputation. The company maintains this legal fight is distinct from the bribery charges, focusing instead on the defamation claims related to False allegations of its involvement in election fraud during the 2020 presidential election. Meanwhile, Smartmatic has questioned various members of Fox Corporation's executive leadership to examine their role in disseminating misinformation about the company's services. Nevertheless, Fox News contends that it merely reported on allegations made by then-President Trump and his attorneys without any malicious intent. The legal proceedings may influence not only the involved parties but also public perceptions of voting technology integrity in future elections, as the discourse around election security remains a significant topic in the political landscape.