Q Link Wireless LLC and its CEO, Issa Asad, have pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud and commit offenses against the U.S. related to a scheme to steal more than $100 million from the Lifeline Program. Asad has also pleaded guilty to laundering money from a separate scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Asad’s plea agreement contains a joint recommendation that he serve time in prison.
Asad and Q Link have agreed to pay jointly $109,637,057 in restitution to the FCC no later than the time of their sentencing hearings, which are scheduled for January 15, 2025. Asad has separately agreed to pay $1,758,339.25 in restitution to the U.S. Small Business Administration, and to a forfeiture judgment against him of at least $17,484,118.00.
