FCC Enforcement Monitor

FCC Enforcement Monitor

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform their clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others.

Pillsbury provides legal services to the National Association of State Broadcast Associations (NASBA) and this information is provided as a service to the members of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

Click on any date listed below to see all content in each issue.

Date	Headlines
10/17/19	Virginia FM Station’s Years of Missing Quarterly Lists Lead to Proposed $15,000 Fine and a Reduced License Term FCC Investigates Ohio College Station Over Unauthorized Silence and Scheduling Violation New York Amateur Radio Operator’s Threats and Harmful Interference Lead to Proposed $17,000 Fine
9/30/19	Faith-Based Station Settles With FCC After Preempting KidVid Programming With Fundraising Arizona LPFM Gets License Reinstated in Consent Decree Christmas Tree’s Harmful Interference Results in Consent Decree With LED Company
8/29/19	Big-4 Network, Among Others, Settles With FCC Over Emergency Alert Tone Violations Despite Self-Disclosure, Sponsorship ID Violations Land $233,000 Proposed Fine Topeka TV Licensee Enters Into Consent Decree Over Late-Filed KidVid Reports
7/31/19	Pennsylvania AM Station’s “Shenanigans” in Connection With Tower Violations Lead to $25,000 Fine Georgia and North Carolina Radio Station Licenses at Risk Due to Unpaid Fees FCC Cites New Jersey Vehicle Equipment Vendor for Programming Transmitters with Unauthorized Frequencies
6/27/19	Investigation Into Undisclosed Radio Station Owner With a History of Felonies Leads to Hearing Designation Order FCC Settles With Alaskan Broadcaster After Disastrous Station Inspection FCC Reinstates Licenses for Tennessee and Alabama Radio Stations, Then Immediately Threatens to Revoke Them
5/30/19	FCC Settles With Golf Club Operator Over Unauthorized Transfer of 108 Private Wireless Licenses FCC Warns Traffic Management Company Over Unlicensed Radio Operations Months-Long Tower Lighting Outage Leads to Warning
4/25/19	FCC Revokes License for Unpaid Regulatory Fees; Warns Other Stations of Similar Fate Texas Station Warned Over Multiple Tower and Transmission Violations FCC Nabs Massachusetts Pirate While Commission Continues to Push for Anti-Piracy Legislation
3/28/19	Oregon LPFM Station Warned Over Emergency Alert System Violations Pennsylvania Man Accused of Interfering With Local Fire Department Operations Earth Station Transmission Problems Lead to Warning Against Florida Wireless Licensee
2/28/19	FCC Fines Kentucky Men $144,344 for Illegally Operating LPTV Station for 18 Years North Carolina Radio Station Settles With FCC Over Decades of Unauthorized Transfers Connecticut Radio Station Warned for Inspection and Antenna Violations
1/31/19	Alabama FM Licensee Admits to On-Air Contest and Unauthorized Transfer of Control Violations Silicon Valley Start-Up Agrees to Pay $900,000 Penalty for Unauthorized Satellite Launches Michigan AM Licensee Faces Proposed $18,000 Fine and Reduced License Term for a Variety of Violations
12/19/18	Unpaid Regulatory Fees Bring License Revocation Proceeding for Massachusetts FM Station Unregistered Tower and Unauthorized Silence Spell Trouble for North Carolina AM Station FCC Issues Warning to Denver Trucking Company for Unauthorized Transmissions on Public Safety Frequency
11/29/18	Premature Construction Turns Texas LPFM’s Minor Change into a Major Fine FCC Issues Notice of Violation to Miami LPFM Licensee for Unauthorized Antenna Location California Man Pleads Guilty to FCC Bomb Threat, Fatal “Swatting” Hoax
10/31/18	Ownership Questions Lead to Hearing Designation Order for LPFM Licensee NC Man Hit with $40,000 Fine for Unauthorized Transmissions Over Public Safety Radio FCC Issues Notice to Hospital Paging System Licensee for Harmful Interference
9/28/18	FCC Cracks Down on Call Spoofing Operations with Multimillion-Dollar Fine New Jersey Utility Company Investigated for Improper Use of Private Land Mobile Radio FCC Issues Repeated Notices to Florida LPFM Licensee Over Transmitter Issues
8/30/18	International Hotel Company Agrees to $504,000 Settlement for Overlooked Wireless License Transfers Media Bureau Fines AM Licensee for Years-Old Unauthorized Transfers Suburban Elementary School Busted as Pirate Radio Operator
7/30/18	Alaskan Licensee Faces Fines Over FM Station Silences Enforcement Bureau Issues Consent Decrees for LED Billboard Violations Tower Owner Hit for Unlit Structure
6/25/18	Media Bureau Hits Michigan Radio Station for Low Power Snafu Online Retailer Faces $2,861,128 Forfeiture for Selling Unauthorized Drone Parts Enforcement Bureau Issues Advisory on Drone Accessories
5/30/18	Louisiana Class A TV Station Settles Online Public File Violations for $50,000 Ahead of License Renewal FCC and Michigan Teenager Enter Into Consent Decree After Misuse of Public Safety Communications System Missouri Telco Agrees to $16,000 Settlement Over Unauthorized Transfers
4/30/18	FCC Proposes $235,668 Fine for Filing Untruthful Information Major Phone Carrier Settles Dispute With FCC Over Rural Call Completion Issues for $40 Million Repeat Pirate Nets $25,000 Fine
3/29/18	This month’s special issue takes a look at the government’s renewed efforts to scuttle Pirate Radio operations.
2/28/18	FCC Proposes Forfeitures Against South Carolina Stations for Failure to Maintain Public Inspection File Noncommercial Station and FCC Settle Dispute Over Promotional Announcements Brooklyn-based Bitcoin Miner Warned Over Harmful Interference FCC Issues Notice to Security Camera Manufacturer for Device ID Violations
1/30/18	FCC Revokes Licenses After Alleged Failure to Report Felony Drug Conviction Car Dealership Receives Citation for Interference-Creating Outdoor Lighting License Renewal Hearing Ordered for Near-Silent Virginia Stations FCC Commissioner Criticizes Local Colorado News Site Over Pirate Radio Station Article
12/28/17	FCC Proposes $20,000 Fine for Decade-Old EEO Violations FCC Goes After Small North Carolina Radio Station for Absence During Inspection Drone Company Agrees to $180,000 Settlement for Non-Compliant A/V Equipment
11/30/17	FCC Fires Broadside at Pirate Stronghold: Nearly Half of November Pirate Radio Notices Go to NY/NJ/CT Area Sorry About That: Wireless Broadband Manufacturer Pays $95,000 to End Investigation of Failure to Prevent Harmful Manipulation of Its Products Not Too Bright: FCC Proposes $25,000 Fine for Marketing Unlabeled Fluorescent Lights
10/31/17	Law and Disorder: FCC Fines New York City Man $404,166 for Interfering with NYPD Radio Frequencies A Friendly Port: In Novel FCC Action, Property Owners Face a $144,344 Fine for Housing a Pirate’s Radio Operation Continuous Unidentified Transmissions on a Shared Channel Leads to a $25,000 Fine
9/29/17	Noncommercial TV Broadcaster Agrees to $5,000 Consent Decree for EEO Violations Taxi Company Fined $13,000 for Failing to Operate a Private Land Mobile Radio Station on a Narrowband Basis and Other Violations FCC Issues Notices of Unlicensed FM Station Operation to Five Individuals
8/31/17	TV Station Agrees to $17,500 Consent Decree for Failure to Properly Identify Children’s Programming and Other Violations FCC Proposes $22,000 Fine Against Store for Operating Cell Phone Jammer Marketing of Unauthorized Radio Frequency Devices Leads to $30,000 Civil Penalty
7/27/17	FCC Proposes $66,000 Fine Against Alaska Noncommercial FM Station for EAS and Other Violations Man Faces $120 Million Fine for “Massive” Robocall Operation FCC Proposes $1,500 Fine Against South Carolina AM Station for Late-Filed License Renewal
6/30/17	TV Broadcaster Agrees to $55,000 “Civil Penalty” for Airing False EAS Tones Radio Broadcaster to Donate or Surrender Nine FM Stations to Resolve Investigation of Stations Being Silent for Extended Periods FCC Proposes $6,000 Fine Against California TV Station for Public File and Related Violations
5/24/17	Former Broadcast Licensee Faces $144,344 Fine for Operating Kentucky LPTV Station Without a License for 18 Years FCC Proposes $20,000 Fine Against California Noncommercial TV Station for Public File and Related Violations FCC Agrees to Reduce Fines for Untimely Children’s Television Programming Reports Based on Inability to Pay
4/27/17	Michigan Class A TV Station Agrees to Pay $45,000 for Numerous Children’s Programming and Public Inspection File Violations New York TV Station Agrees to $10,000 Consent Decree to End FCC Investigation into Indecency Allegations California Radio Licensee Agrees to $8,000 Consent Decree for Unauthorized Transfer of Control
3/30/17	Failing to Make Timely Uploads to Online Public File Costs TV Station $13,500 FCC Fines Church’s Pirate Radio Station $25,000 FCC Proposes $7,000 Fine Against TV Station for Public File Violations
2/23/17	FCC Proposes $25,000 Fine Against Individual for Operating a Pirate Radio Station FCC Admonishes Wireless Carrier for Data Breach Telecommunications Relay Service Providers Agree to $9.1 Million Settlement
1/31/17	FCC Proposes $10,000 Fine to FM Licensee for Public Inspection File Violations Spoofed Calls Lead to $25,000 Fine Wireless Licensee Agrees to Pay $28,800 Settlement for Operating on Unauthorized Frequencies
12/30/16	Broadcaster Loses Appeal of $20,000 FCC Fine FCC Issues Citation for Violations of Radio Frequency Equipment Authorization and Labeling Rules FCC Proposes $392,930 Fine to Telecom Provider for Excessive USF Fees, Unauthorized Transfers, and Delinquent Regulatory Fees
11/30/16	Broadcaster Agrees to Pay $100,000 Fine for Filing Applications Under False Names FCC Proposes $13,000 Fine for Late License Renewal Application and Unauthorized Operation Failure to Register with the FCC Results in $100,000 Fine for Telecom Provider
10/31/16	FCC Revokes Company’s Authorizations for Failure to Pay Regulatory Fees Failure to Disclose Felonies in License Applications Yields $175,000 Fine Cable Operator Settles Investigation into Unlawful Billing for $2.3 Million
1/30/15	Individual fined $25,000 for Unauthorized “Chanting and Heavy Breathing” on Public Safety Station Failure to Timely Request STA Results in $5,000 Fine FCC Imposes $11,500 Fine for Intentional Interference and Station ID Violation
9/28/16	Florida AM Licensee Hit with $15,000 Fine for Failing to Maintain Public Inspection File and Provide Immediate Access to It New York Amateur Radio Operator Fined $23,000 and Arrested for Unlicensed Operations and False Officer-in-Distress Call Late-Filed License Renewal Nets Washington AM Station $1,500 Fine
8/23/16	Spoofed Calls Lead to Multiple $25,000 Fines and Ongoing Criminal Case Amateur Radio Licensee Fined $25,000 for Intentional Interference Failure to Timely Request STA Results in $5,000 Fine and Shortened License Term
7/29/16	FCC Cancels $3,000 Proposed Fine After Discovering TV Licensee Overwrote Children’s Programming Reports Educational FM Licensee Agrees to Pay Reduced Fine of $2,250 for Multiple Violations Failure to Understand FCC’s Filing System Nets $1,500 Fine
6/30/16	FCC Refuses TV Licensee’s Request to Defer $15,000 Fine Until After Incentive Auction FCC Proposes $20,000 Fine for Radio Licensee’s Violation of Multiple Ownership Rule FCC Imposes $12,000 Fine and Short-Term License Renewal for Failure to Maintain Public Inspection File and File Ownership Reports
5/31/16	FCC Enforcement Bureau and Long-Distance Provider Agree to $100,000 Settlement for Violations of FCC’s Rural Call Completion Rules FCC Cancels $3,000 Fine Against TV Licensee for Untimely Kidvid Filings, Upholds $10,000 Fine for Missing Issues/Programs Lists FM Construction Permit Auction Winner Fined $3,000 For Late Application
4/30/16	Class A TV Licensee Hit With $89,200 Fine for Dodging FCC Inspectors Student-Run FM Station Faces $12,000 Fine and Shortened License Term for Public Inspection File Violations Wireless Synchronized Clock Company Agrees to Pay $12,000 for Violating License Terms
3/31/16	Noncommercial FM Broadcaster Fined $10,000 for Public Inspection File Violations TV Licensee Faces $20,000 Fine for Untimely Filing of 16 Children’s TV Programming Reports Man Agrees to $2,360 Fine for Using GPS Jamming Device at Newark Airport
2/26/16	FCC Fines Radio Licensee $10,500 Despite Claims of Public File Sabotage Unlocked Gate Costs AM Licensee $7,000 Class A Licensee Faces Hobson’s Choice: Pay $12,000 Fine or Revert to Low Power Status
1/31/16	TV Licensee Agrees to Pay $18,000 for Public Inspection File Violations FM Translator Licensee Faces $9,000 Fine for False Certification and Unauthorized Operation Violations AM Station Licensee Pays $10,000 to End Investigation into Alleged Ownership Violations
12/30/15	FM Licensee and Prospective Buyer Agree to Jointly Pay $8,000 for Unauthorized Transfer of Control TV Licensee Faces $13,000 Fine for Children’s Programming and Public Inspection File Violations Late License Renewal Applicant Escapes With $1,500 Fine
11/30/15	FCC Admonishes TV Licensee for Prior Station Owner’s Failure to Timely File Children’s Television Programming Reports Inadequate Antenna Fencing and Signage Result in Proposed Fines of $60,000 and $25,000 for Two Broadband-PCS Licensees Cable Company Settles Data Breach Investigation for $595,000
10/29/15	Time Brokerage Agreement Costs Station and Broker/Buyer $10,000 Telecom Provider Agrees to Pay $620,500 to Resolve Investigation of Cell Tower Registration and Lighting Violations FCC Admonishes TV Station Licensee for Failing to Upload Past Issues/Programs Lists to Online Public Inspection File
9/30/15	FCC Admonishes TV Station Licensees for Violating Commercial Limits in Children’s Programming Telecommunications Provider Agrees to $1.175 Million Payment to Resolve Investigation of 911 Call Failures Pirate Radio Operator’s Repeated Disregard for the Rules Results in $15,000 Proposed Fine
8/31/15	FCC Again Cracks Down on Wi-Fi Blocking at Conference Centers Licensee Faces $27,000 Fine for Repeatedly Failing to File Kidvid Reports Too Little Too Late: FCC Dismisses as Late (and Meritless) Antenna Structure Owner’s Petition for Reconsideration
7/30/15	Repetitive Children’s Programming Costs TV Licensee $90,000 It’s Nice to Be Asked: FCC Faults Red-Lighted Licensee’s Failure to Request STA FCC Proposes $25,000 Fine for Hogging Shared Frequencies
6/30/15	Educational FM Licensee Receives $8,000 Fine for Unauthorized Operation FCC Cancels $6,000 Fine for Late Filings due to Licensee’s Inability to Pay Blaming Prior Legal Counsel, Telecommunications Provider Pays $2,000,000 Civil Penalty
5/27/15	404 Not Found: Missing Online Public File Documents Lead to $9,000 Fine Wireless Providers Pay $158 Million to Settle Mobile Cramming Violations Failure to Timely File License Renewal Application Results in $1,500 Fine
3/31/15	eceptive Practices Yield Multi-Million Dollar Fines for Telephone Interexchange Carriers LPFM Ads Cost $16,000 Multiple TV Station Licensees Face $6,000 Fines for Failing to File Children’s TV Programming Reports
4/29/15	FCC Scuttles New York Pirate Radio Operator and Proposes $20,000 Fine Failure to Properly Identify Children’s Programming Results in $3,000 Fine Telecommunications Carrier Consents to Pay $16 Million To Resolve 911 Outage Investigation
2/25/15	FCC Issues $3.36 Million Fine to Company and Its CEO for Selling Toll Free Numbers Antenna Fencing and Public Inspection File Violations Result in $17,000 Fine FCC Reiterates That “Willful Violation” Does Not Require “Intent to Violate the Law”