The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a financial penalty of $15,000 against a Massachusetts man for operating an unlicensed radio station.
According to a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture issued by the Commission’s Enforcement Bureau in November 2016, the proposed fine connects Vasco Oburoni with broadcasting from an unlicensed radio transmitter located on the premises of the Christian Praise International Church in Worcester, MA. Agents first discovered the illegal transmissions in April 2015 as a result of a complaint received by the Bureau, and verified that the signals emanating from the transmitter exceeded the limits for unlicensed operation under FCC rules.
Following receipt of several notices and letters over the ensuing two months, Oburoni finally met with Enforcement Bureau agents in July 2015, acknowledging his operation of the station without a license and requesting information on filing for one. During the meeting, Oburoni was instructed to immediately cease his broadcasting operations and provided with direction on how to obtain a license.
Unfortunately, in May 2016, Enforcement Bureau agents once again detected broadcast signals emanating from the same location and on the same frequency. Oburoni’s continued illegal operation, along with his failure to file with the FCC for a suitable license, resulted in the issuance of the Notice of Apparent Liability and the proposed fine.
Read the complete text of the FCC’s Notice of Apparent Liability in connection with this case.
