FCC Reaches Settlements to Shut Down Boston-Area Pirates
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 2, 2020 |
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 FCC |
The FCC has reached settlements with two Boston-area pirate radio operators, Acerome Jean Charles and Gerlens Cesar, following Enforcement Bureau investigations. Through the Consent Decrees, the two operators will pay penalties, admit to violations, agree to 20-year compliance commitments and agree to dispose of any remaining broadcast equipment in their possession.
In December, the Commission issued two Notices of Apparent Liability to Jean Charles and Cesar for their unlicensed operations of broadcast radio stations "Radio Concorde" and "Radio TeleBoston," respectively in the Boston-area.
The Enforcement Bureau negotiated the two Consent Decrees, which provide for a strict compliance plan over a period of 20 years to prevent Jean Charles and Cesar from resuming unlicensed broadcasting. Jean Charles has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $4,000, and to pay a further penalty of $75,000 if he violates the terms of the Consent Decree. Cesar has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $5,000, and agreed to pay a further penalty of $225,000 if he violates the terms of the Consent Decree.
As part of these compliance commitments, both Jean Charles and Cesar have ceased their own pirate radio broadcasting and have agreed not to assist anyone else committing such acts. Each has agreed to destroy any broadcast equipment remaining in their possession.
