Florida telecomm and CEO pay $128M for alleged scheme to defraud FCC
A Florida wireless company and its CEO will pay more than $128 million to settle civil and criminal allegations that they defrauded a federal low-income telecommunications program, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Q Link Wireless LLC and owner Issa Asad, of Dania Beach, Florida, allegedly devised a scheme to defraud the Lifeline Program, a nearly $2 billion Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps people with low incomes with their cell phone bills.
Consumers must meet income and cell phone usage requirements to participate. Telecommunication companies must verify that customers meet the program qualifications before seeking reimbursement from the federal government for the discounts they provided.
THIS IS MEMBERS-ONLY CONTENT
You are not logged in and do not have access to members-only content.
If you are already a registered user or a member, SIGN IN now.
Related articles
-
ArticleNew York lab CEO allegedly billed insurers for $500M in fraudulent COVID test claims
The U.S. Department of Justice says the chief executive and medical director of Fast Lab Technologies allegedly engaged in a $500 million fraud scheme involving COVID-19 tests.
-
News BriefU.S. regulators scrutinizing American companies’ transactions with Chinese firms
Recent enforcement actions by U.S. agencies overseeing customs payments and export control laws indicate increased scrutiny of business transactions between U.S. and Chinese companies.
-
ArticleDAG Blanche says DOJ’s new priorities doesn’t indicate pullback on white collar crime
The Department of Justice has refocused its white collar crime priorities on prosecuting the worst cases of corporate misconduct while also clearing away unnecessary and burdensome regulation that could “strangle” American business, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
More from Regulatory Enforcement
-
ArticleFTC warns VISA and other processors that company policies may lead to debanking
Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Stripe have received letters from the Federal Trade Commission, warning the companies to end any policies or terms of service that may result in the “debanking” of customers.
-
ArticleDOJ makes good on corporate-friendly enforcement policy with Balt resolution
The ink was barely dry on the U.S. Department of Justice’s new corporate enforcement policy (CEP) when the agency announced it would not prosecute Balt SAS for alleged bribery violations.
-
ArticleBoA settles class-action related to its dealings with Jeffrey Epstein
Bank of America has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging know-your-customer and other failings in its dealings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.