Equipment Seized From Two Illegal Boston Stations

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, March 28, 2018

FCC

Radio transmission equipment from two radio stations that were operating illegally in Boston was seized on Monday, March 26. According to court documents unsealed today, "Big City," which aired at times on 100.3 FM, 105.3 FM, and 101.3 FM, from Dorchester, with a studio in Roxbury, and "B87.7 FM," which operated on 87.7 FM from Dorchester, were operating without a FCC license. The Commission issued multiple warnings to the illegal operators, but the radio stations continued to broadcast.

Authorities seized equipment operated by each radio station at that station's antenna location on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester. The forfeiture actions were brought after the FCC received complaints, including a complaint from a licensed broadcaster about interference with its radio signal.

"When pirate radio stations refuse to cease operations, despite multiple warnings, action must be taken," said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. "It is a public safety hazard for illegal radio stations to broadcast, potentially interfering with critical radio communications. We will work in conjunction with the FCC's Enforcement Bureau to identify violators of federal communications law."

"Pirate radio stations are operating without an FCC license - and therefore breaking the law, as well as interfering with licensed broadcasters and potentially preventing those broadcasters from delivering critical public-safety information to listeners," said Rosemary Harold, Chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau. "We are pursuing multiple legal routes to stop pirate broadcasters; the seizure action in Boston is just one of them."