Home / Business and Economy / DISH Fined $17.3M for COVID Broadband Program Fraud
DISH Fined $17.3M for COVID Broadband Program Fraud
6 May
Summary
- DISH Wireless agreed to a $17.3 million penalty.
- Investigation found DISH signed up ineligible consumers.
- Subsidies were for a COVID-era broadband program.
DISH Wireless has agreed to pay $17.3 million to resolve a U.S. government investigation. The probe centered on allegations that the company enrolled ineligible consumers into a COVID-era program designed to provide subsidized broadband services. This program was established to ensure millions of Americans had access to essential internet connectivity during the pandemic.
The investigation, led by the Justice Department, found that DISH, a subsidiary of EchoStar, allegedly received payments for thousands of individuals who did not qualify for the broadband subsidies. This action resolves the government's concerns regarding DISH's participation in the program.
