U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan ruled that MyPillow founder Mike Lindell defamed Smartmatic by making false claims that its voting machines rigged the 2020 presidential election. The judge, however, deferred the question of whether Lindell acted with “actual malice,” which is required for Smartmatic to collect damages. Lindell repeatedly stated in documentaries and media appearances that the machines were rigged, specifically in Los Angeles County where Smartmatic was used. Smartmatic is now seeking substantial damages from Lindell, as it aims to hold him accountable for spreading lies.
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The Department of Justice has alleged that Smartmatic executives, indicted last year on bribery and money-laundering charges, transferred funds from a 2018 Los Angeles County voting machine contract into slush funds previously used for bribing election officials in Venezuela and the Philippines. Prosecutors are seeking to prove these funds were part of a larger pattern of bribery. Fox News, involved in a separate defamation lawsuit, asserts that LA County’s registrar-recorder, Dean Logan, may have received unreported gifts from the company. This could link to a broader scheme including overcharging customers and using the excess to pay bribes in other countries.
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Smartmatic is seeking to hold Mike Lindell in civil contempt for failing to pay over $50,000 in sanctions stemming from a frivolous counterclaim in a defamation suit. Lindell, citing $70 million in debt and IRS garnishment, claims he is unable to pay, stating he currently lives on $1,000 a week due to ongoing legal battles. Judge Carl Nichols will review Lindell’s financial documents before ruling on the contempt motion. These legal issues are part of multiple defamation lawsuits against Lindell, alleging he falsely linked Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems to election fraud to boost MyPillow sales.
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Newsmax settled a defamation lawsuit with Smartmatic for $40 million, a figure disclosed in a recent financial filing. The settlement resolves claims that Newsmax falsely accused Smartmatic of election fraud during the 2020 election cycle. Newsmax has paid $20 million to date, and offered Smartmatic stock as part of the agreement. This settlement follows similar actions by other news outlets, including One America News, and is part of a broader legal battle examining the intersection of free speech and defamation regarding election misinformation. The case against Fox News is still ongoing.
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Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan has held Mike Lindell in contempt of court for his failure to provide crucial documents in the Smartmatic defamation case. This decision comes after Lindell repeatedly failed to comply with court orders demanding the production of specific data and financial records. The requested materials include analytics data from his company’s website and financial records detailing Lindell’s financial status for 2022 and 2023. This lack of compliance demonstrates a blatant disregard for the legal process, raising serious questions about Lindell’s commitment to a fair and transparent legal proceeding.
The judge’s order explicitly states that if Lindell continues to refuse to comply, Smartmatic is free to pursue further legal action to secure the necessary documents.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood