The commission slapped a $15,000 fine against Andrew Turner for operating a pirate station in Florida. This case is an example of why the FCC chairman is asking Congress to arm the agency with more powers to stop pirates.
Turner had been warned several times, said the agency.
In response to a complaint, agents from the Enforcement Bureau’s Miami office traced the source of illegal RF emissions on 95.9 MHz to a residence in Broward County in January. They found coax connecting the backyard antenna to the home and saw signs in the yard that read: “Tune in to 95.9” and “One Caribbean International.”
The agents warned Turner then and found he was back at it in March and warned him again the action is illegal and he could face penalties.
In response to another complaint in August, agents tracked down the property owner, who said she allowed another woman to install radio equipment in a locked room in the home and she didn’t have a key. The agents issued notices of Unlicensed Operation to both and told them to take the station off the air.
Agents linked Turner to the station through his Facebook page and other Internet sites for the station and warned him a fourth time to take it off the air in September.
The commission raised the penalty from the base fine of $5,000 to $15,000 because of his “deliberate disregard” of the commission’s authority and requirements.
Because this is still a proposed fine, Tuner has 30 days to appeal.
