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# DOJ Gains Guilty Pleas in FCC Lifeline Fraud Scheme
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/doj-gains-guilty-pleas-in-fcc-lifeline-fraud-scheme/
- Published: 2024-10-18T12:17:36.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-11T06:02:32.000Z
- Description: The company stole more than $100 million over several years
- Author: Ari Bertenthal
- Tags: Lifeline, #with-siderail, Q link, Issa Asad, FCC, DOJ, Jessica Rosenworcel, Florida

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2024 - A scheme to defraud a federal internet access program for low-income consumers [has been shut down](https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/nationwide-telecommunications-provider-and-its-ceo-plead-guilty-massively-defrauding?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) by federal authorities after an Internet Service Provider and its CEO pleaded guilty to fraud charges.

The Florida based company, [Q Link Wireless](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-proposes-62-million-fine-scotus-urged-to-keep-section-230-tiktok-bans-extending/), and its CEO **Issa Asad** pleaded guilty to federal charges on Tuesday, including conspiring to defraud and commit offenses against the United States and money laundering after a conspiracy to steal more than $100 million from the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline access program was uncovered.

"Deceptive schemes that exploit at-risk communities and manipulate federal support for phone and broadband services should not go unpunished. I want to thank the dedicated investigators at the FCC and the Justice Department for pursuing this case and bringing the fraudsters behind this scheme to justice," said FCC Chairwoman **Jessica Rosenworcel**.

Federal officials alleged that the defendants manufactured non-existent cellphone activity and engaged in coercive marketing techniques to make consumers remain Q Link customers.

According to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of Florida, the scheme began as early as 2012 and continued through at least 2021.

[The Lifeline program](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-expands-lifeline-eligibility-for-helene-victims/) serves low-income consumers with affordable pricing for broadband internet and cell phone services.

Asad’s sentence has not yet been determined, and will be made available by the Court after a review of U.S. sentencing guidelines.