FCC Fines Three Boston-Area Pirate Radio Operators

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

In a significant move to enforce the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act (PIRATE Act), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have imposed hefty fines on three unauthorized radio operators in the Boston area, signaling its ongoing commitment to tackle pirate radio operations.

Renold David, the operator of "Lotnivo FM" on 101.9 MHz in Brockton, MA faced the stiffest penalty, receiving a $120,000 forfeiture. Additionally, Djovany Pierre and Mario Turner, who ran "Radio Tele Brockton 96.5" and "Brockton Heat" on 96.5 MHz, were fined $40,000. Joao Vieira, another Brockton broadcaster operating "Brockton FM" on 102.1 MHz, also received a $40,000 fine. These actions followed the issuance of Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in April 2024, to which none of the operators responded.

Pirate radio broadcasting, which involves the unauthorized transmission of radio signals that can interfere with licensed stations -- including those broadcasting crucial public safety emergency alerts -- is illegal under the Communications Act of 1934. To bolster its enforcement capabilities, Congress enacted the PIRATE Act in January 2020, granting the FCC the authority to impose higher penalties and conduct enforcement sweeps.

This year, the penalties for pirate broadcasting have escalated to $119,555 per day, with a ceiling of $2,391,097, due to inflation adjustments. The FCC's recent actions, including today's fines, have resulted in $14,512,969 in proposed fines and $5,549,398 in penalties against pirate operators since January 2021.

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the FCC's role as a steward of public airwaves, ensuring they remain free from interference and accessible to all. "We help ensure that this vital resource is broadly available and free from harmful interference. And for those who fail to follow the rules, there are consequences," Rosenworcel stated.

She also praised the efforts of FCC staff across the country, highlighting their crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the airwaves, especially during emergencies such as Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. While the individuals responsible for these investigations are not named for safety reasons, the Chairwoman acknowledged the collective effort of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau and the Office of General Counsel, including key staff members David Dombrowski, Matthew Gibson, and others who played roles in bringing these actions to fruition.