WWGH-FM/Marion, OH Has License Revoked

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, February 15, 2021

Scott Spears

WWGH-FM/Marion, OH had its licensed revoked per a document from the Federal Communications Commission. In the letter, the FCC stated they received an informal objection to the station's renewal application. That objection was filed by former WDIF-LP FM owner Spencer Phelps who said, "I'm a big fan of honesty, because when I was running the station, I did everything by the book. Then you see another guy who's in the business just breaking the rules brazenly...it just ticked me off."

WWGH failed to respond to a letter of inquiry that was sent out in December regarding the allegations made in the objection, but program manager Scott Spears said last Friday was the first the station had heard of the complaint and had they known earlier, they would've immediately responded. A letter dated Dec. 8 from the FCC was sent via email to Shawn Craft of the Marion Education Exchange, which runs the station. Spears claims the lack of response to the FCC is the only reason the station had its license canceled.

The Marion Star reports that WWGH came under scrutiny in 2019 when Spears was president of Marion Midget Football. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost found reason to believe that he and then-treasurer Patsy Worcester broke Ohio charity laws. MMF held the license to operate WWGH. Under a settlement between the state and MMF, Spears could not serve as a nonprofit officer or board member, make any requests for charitable contributions in Ohio, or create any Ohio nonprofit. Worcester was also prohibited from doing the same things, but for a period of five years. Both would resign from their positions and Spears had to pay $12,500 in restitution and penalties. In addition, MMF voted to relinquish its license to operate the radio station, according to FCC filings. The nonprofit organization also agreed to end any involvement with the radio station, according to the settlement, which was filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Phelps said, "In the agreement with the state, he agreed to shut down the radio station and give the license back to the FCC and then he lied to the state and didn't do that. That's why there's a Marion Education Exchange that holds the license to the radio station."

According to a complaint Phelps sent to the FCC in October 2019, Spears completed an application that May to transfer the radio license to MEE. Per the letter of inquiry, MEE's renewal application was filed last June, while Phelps filed his objection in July. He alleges that MEE's board was not comprised of the same individuals as MMF's board, and that MEE misrepresented its board composition to the FCC when it filed the assignment application. Phelps submitted copies of materials that MEE submitted to the State of Ohio, which listed different individuals as the incorporators of MEE.

Spears denied the allegations, adding he's not an active board member, and never has been, who is able to make these kinds of decisions. He also denied any allegations that he was raising money for a non-profit after the Attorney General's decision and that any attempts he made to make money were specifically for the station.

As for what happens now, Phelps said WWGH-FM will be taken off the radio, but could possibly continue the station online. Spears went further to say even if they were to be taken off the airwaves, they'd still have an online presence through their podcasts and other shows that are available for streaming.

Spears said he and the station have nothing to hide and they plan to comply and work with the FCC throughout the investigation.