US authorities are seeking the forfeiture of a $1.2 million property in San Francisco allegedly purchased by former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista using bribe money from Smartmatic.
The 31-page indictment filed in Miami’s Florida Southern District Court includes charges against Bautista and three Smartmatic executives, alleging money laundering and bribery linked to the 2016 Philippine elections.
According to the indictment, Bautista’s relative received a $960,000 wire transfer from a shell company in Singapore to facilitate the property purchase.
Bautista has denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated, while Smartmatic has placed two accused employees on leave and denied any voter fraud.
The indictment also details a complex web of financial transactions and alleged attempts to conceal the bribe payments.
Source : PhilNews24 | August 17, 2024
Latest from News
The Department of National Defense (DND) condemned what it called the “dangerous and inhumane” actions of
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) admitted shortcomings in the data it initially submitted
At least 72 medical and health professional organizations have denounced the proposed ₱51.6-billion allocation for the
Some senators prefer operating under a reenacted 2025 budget rather than rushing the approval of what
The Department of Tourism (DOT) hosted the Asia Cruise Cooperation (ACC) Annual Regional Meeting, calling for
