Former KVI Promotions Coordinator to Pay Restitution

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 2, 2010 | 2:17pm CT

Former Fisher Communications Promotions Coordinator Ryan Elizabeth Keeley was ordered to pay $14,000 in restitution after she allegedly rigged a KVI-AM/Seattle promotion so her friends would win $1000 cash prizes, while she collected a cut of the winnings. The contest, Secret Listener Salute, ran from February 6 to March 30, 2007 in which names were announced three times daily to call and win $1000.

The job of the 26-year-old female promotions coordinator was to select the names at random from one of two databases, according to court documents. She would then give the winning name to the broadcast booth to be announced. Keeley allegedly tipped off her friends when their name would be picked.

When one of the winners was contacted regarding a W-9 tax form in In December, 2008 or January, 2009, the man said he never received his prize. He later told KVI staff the contest was rigged and the former employee would keep part of the winnings.

Keeley and 14 others were originally charged with first- and second-degree felony theft.

"I'm very sorry for what I did," Keeley told the judge at her sentencing. "Had drugs not been involved, I would have never made a decision like that, and I've been taking necessary steps prior to any of this to rectify that and start over."

"Clearly this matter has already damaged our reputation and credibility with the FCC, listeners and advertisers and within the community at-large," Fisher Radio Seattle VP/GM James Clayton said in a letter read by the judge. "The integrity of our radio contests depends in large part on our reputation for fairness and honesty. Keeley's actions sought to damage those qualities."