OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. investigators are trying to determine if a company that makes electronic voting machines has ties to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The Miami Herald, citing sources, said the Treasury Department has launched a formal investigation into Sequoia Voting Systems, of Oakland, Calif., owned by Florida-based Smartmatic. Sequoia makes electronic machines used in 17 states.
Two of Smartmatic's owners are also part-owners of Bizta, and the two companies are partners in a project to supply voting machines for Venezuela, the Herald reported. The Venezuelan government formerly held a 28 percent share in Bizta, although the company has bought back that stake.
While many users have no complaints about Sequoia's machines, the company has been blamed for problems in Chicago's municipal elections in March. Jack Blaine, a Sequoia executive, told the Chicago City Council that one component that had caused trouble was made in Venezuela and Venezuelan technicians worked on the machines.
