Court Allows Discovery as to Vindictive Prosecution Defense by Smartmatic’s Parent Company

A federal judge has allowed Smartmatic’s parent company, SGO, to seek evidence for its claim that prosecutors added it to a criminal case vindictively. The ruling permits discovery into how the prosecution arose; it does not decide whether the government acted improperly.

The case began with a six-year investigation into alleged bribery and money laundering linked to the 2016 Philippine elections. SGO was not charged in the 2024 indictment and had been cooperating since 2021, but was added in October 2025, after President Trump returned to office. SGO argues the decision was retaliation for Smartmatic’s defamation suits against Trump allies and amid Trump’s public accusations about the company; the judge found enough evidence to allow it to investigate that claim.