The owner of two FMs, an AM and an FM translator serving Norfolk, Neb., has resolved a matter with the FCC’s Media Bureau in which it was found to have engaged in three unauthorized transfers of control made prior to the filing of applications requiring Commission approval.
While there is a financial payment to be made, it will be going to the U.S. Treasury.
A Consent Decree has been entered into between the Audio Division, led by Chief Al Shuldiner, and WJAG Inc., that settles the transfer of control moves — all tied to trusts from two deceased individuals who had been the stations’ owners.
Eugene and Karla Huse were the owners of WJAG-AM, KEXL-FM, KQKX-FM and K290AT in Norfolk, Neb.
Their interest in the stations was transferred in 2017 to the the WJAG Voting Trust, prior to each of their deaths. Then, a second transfer of equitable interest in the stations was made, in August 2018, from that trust to the W.H. Huse Revocable Trust, administered by the couple’s son, William Huse.
in 2019, a third shift was made, to the W.H. Huse Living Trust.
No prior authorization was given by the Commission for these three changes. And, it wasn’t until November 2021 when Voluntary Transfer Applications were filed with the Commission, which generated a query from Bureau staff. A March 2022 second application was submitted to address their concerns.
Rather than issue a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to the Huse family, a Consent Decree is in place. The Huse family will pay $8,000 to the Treasury Department, and the matter will be dropped by the Media Bureau’s Audio Division.
