Who is Issa Asad? The 51-year-old CEO of Q Link Wireless just got sentenced to 5 years in prison — and slapped with a $128 million penalty — for one of the largest frauds involving the government’s Lifeline phone program.
It’s the same program that went viral in 2012 as the so-called “Obama Phone,” offering cheap or free mobile services to low-income Americans.
Between 2012 and 2021, Asad filed fake customer reports, made bogus claims for government payouts, and pocketed millions in Lifeline funds.
Then, he got caught laundering COVID relief funds too — using them for house construction, a Land Rover, luxury jewelry, and even his personal Amex card.
Now, Asad and his company must pay back $110 million to the FCC and another $17.5 million in criminal fines. Plus, he owes $1.7 million to the SBA for PPP fraud.
He’s already been in trouble before: In 2014, he was charged with murder after allegedly running over a man in a dispute over lawn care. He got probation.
This time, there’s no probation. Just prison bars.
Remember this program America?
— A. Sch (@gmatweet64) July 27, 2025
Issa Asad has been sentenced to prison for his role in the 'Obama-phone' scheme in which he defrauded government programs - costing $100 million#Obama
The 51-year-old CEO of Q Link Wireless, a Florida-based telecommunications company giving… pic.twitter.com/5TdHKVcHNB
🚨 This is one of the largest telecom fraud cases in U.S. history.
💬 Should more CEOs be prosecuted for abusing aid programs?
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