Issa Asad, 51, of Southwest Ranches, Florida, was sentenced on Thursday for orchestrating a years-long scheme that defrauded the federal government of more than $100 million.
Asad, who is the CEO of Q Link Wireless LLC based in Dania Beach, Florida, was convicted of conspiring to commit wire fraud and defraud the United States in connection with a federal program that provides discounted phone services to low-income Americans. He was also sentenced for laundering money from a separate fraud involving the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Asad received a 60-month prison sentence. Q Link Wireless agreed to pay a forfeiture judgment exceeding $109 million, and together, Asad and the company will pay over $109 million in restitution to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Additionally, Asad separately paid nearly $1.8 million to the Small Business Association and forfeited more than $17 million, bringing the total financial penalties and restitution to over $128 million.
According to prosecutors, starting as early as 2012 and continuing through 2021, Asad and Q Link knowingly submitted false claims to the FCC’s Lifeline program, which helps low-income consumers afford cellphone and internet service. They provided fake customer data, manufactured nonexistent phone activity, and used deceptive tactics to prevent customers from canceling service — all to keep billing the government for services never rendered.
One particularly egregious example involved an automated phone script falsely warning customers that their government benefits would be canceled unless they remained enrolled, coercing them into continuing service. When the FCC launched an investigation, Asad and his company attempted to cover up the fraud by creating false records and continuing to bill the program.
Separately, Asad also defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program, designed to aid businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, by making false claims about Q Link’s financial losses and misusing loan funds for personal expenses such as luxury vehicles, jewelry, and credit card bills.
“This sentencing sends a clear message that those who scam government programs designed to help vulnerable communities will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne. Officials from the IRS, FCC, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service praised the investigation and emphasized their commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded programs.
This case represents the largest criminal matter involving the FCC and the biggest criminal plea deal in the history of the Southern District of Florida.
