FCC Issues $60,000 in Fines for Pirate Radio Operations

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 2:16pm CT

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued three forfeiture orders totaling $60,000 against individuals operating unauthorized radio stations in New York and Massachusetts. The orders, released October 22, impose $20,000 penalties in each case for violations of the Communications Act's provisions prohibiting pirate radio broadcasting. The actions involve unlicensed FM operations in Spring Valley, NY; Brooklyn, NY; and Hyannis, MA.

Spring Valley, NY: The FCC imposed a $20,000 forfeiture against Etzer Toussaint for operating an unauthorized station known as "Radio Telemodel" or "Radio Tele Model" on 88.9 MHz. The Commission determined that Toussaint engaged in illegal broadcasting on January 14, 2025.

The Enforcement Bureau initially proposed the penalty on January 12, 2026. Toussaint did not respond to the Notice of Apparent Liability, prompting the FCC to affirm the full $20,000 forfeiture.

Hyannis, MA: Shane Kelly was assessed a $20,000 penalty for operating "87.9 The Test" on 87.9 MHz. FCC field agents traced the unauthorized signal to a residential property on June 6, 2023, and determined that its signal strength exceeded the limits permitted for unlicensed operations.

Kelly subsequently acknowledged operating the station as a hobby without an FCC license. Following a $20,000 proposed forfeiture in April 2024, Kelly requested leniency, stating that he had discontinued broadcasting and disposed of his equipment.

The FCC rejected his request, noting that Kelly did not dispute the violations and had not provided documentation supporting his claim that the equipment had been dismantled. The Commission affirmed the full penalty.

Brooklyn, NY: The FCC also imposed a $20,000 forfeiture against Henderson Lennox Elcock for operating an unauthorized station identified as "Wild FM" on 106.3 MHz.

The Commission determined that Elcock engaged in pirate broadcasting on January 30, 2025. A Notice of Apparent Liability was issued on January 12, 2026, but Elcock did not respond. The Enforcement Bureau subsequently finalized the proposed penalty.

All three actions were taken under Section 511 of the Communications Act, which was strengthened by the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement (PIRATE) Act of 2020.

The FCC emphasized that unauthorized broadcasting can interfere with licensed radio stations and public safety communications, including Emergency Alert System transmissions that provide critical weather and emergency information.

Each individual has 30 calendar days from the release of the forfeiture orders to pay the assessed penalty. Failure to pay could result in referral to the U.S. Department of Justice for collection.