Continuing its ongoing efforts to sanction operators of illegal pirate broadcasts, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed fines totaling over $6.4 million against three operators in the New York City metro area.
Separate Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture were issued to Johnny Peralta of the Bronx, NY, Matthew Bowen of Brooklyn, NY, and Dennis Blake of Mount Vernon, NY for their longstanding operation of unauthorized radio stations. In each case, the illegal radio transmissions were investigated by agents from the New York Field Office of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau following receipt of complaints of radio interference.
Despite repeated and ongoing efforts to have the operators shut down their illegal broadcasts, the FCC ultimately issued the Notices of Apparent Liability, proposing the maximum applicable fines under the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement (PIRATE) Act ($2.3 million for Peralta, $2.3 million for Blake, and $1.78 million for Bowen).
Each of the parties has 30 days from the date of the Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to either pay the assessed fine or file a written statement asking for a reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture amount. Cases in which the fines are not paid or the parties do not respond to the Notice will be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Read the FCC’s Notice issued against Johnny Peralta.
