Smartmatic accuses Trump DOJ of vindictive FCPA prosecution over Fox lawsuit

Voting technology company Smartmatic filed a motion to dismiss its federal bribery indictment on March 12, 2026, arguing the Trump DOJ was pursuing a vindictive and selective prosecution. The company alleged prosecutors expanded the Philippine bribery case against parent company SGO Corporation only after Trump returned to office — specifically because Smartmatic was suing Fox News, Jeanine Pirro, and other Trump allies for defamation over 2020 election fraud claims. Pirro, now U.S. Attorney for D.C., oversaw the prosecution.