DISH to pay $17 million to resolve US probe into fraud claims

WASHINGTON: DISH Wireless agreed to pay $17.3 million to resolve a U.S. government investigation that it signed up ineligible consumers to take part in a pandemic-era program that provided subsidized broadband services to millions ‌of Americans.

DISH, ⁠a ⁠subsidiary of EchoStar, provides service through Boost Mobile and allegedly received payments for thousands of ineligible consumers, the Justice Department said.

Congress allocated $17 billion to help lower-income families and people affected by COVID-19 gain internet access through a $30-per-month voucher toward paying for internet service that was used by about 21 ⁠million U.S. ‌households.