The Federal Communications Commission plans to fine a man $40,000 for alleged pirate radio broadcasts in the eastern Pennsylvania city of Hazleton.
It has issued a notice of apparent liability against Brigido Danerys Gonzalez for radio signals on 90.1 MHz. It said it first became aware of the station, known as “La Bakana,” thanks to a consumer complaint, and that Gonzalez, aka “Super Dany,” has been directly involved in the operation of the station since at least May 2022.
The commission first traced the signals to the address of a grocery store. “Agents spoke with the owner of a supermarket located at the first transmission site who stated that he paid an individual who went by the name ‘Super Dany’ approximately $50 per month to advertise on La Bakana,” according to the FCC summary.
“Based on information provided by the owner of the supermarket, agents contacted the owner of the building at the first transmission site who stated that she was not aware of any pirate radio station transmitting from her building, but described ‘Super Dany’ as a famous radio personality in Hazleton.”
On subsequent visits to the area, the FCC agents traced the 90.1 broadcasts to two other transmission sites. The commission said the agents also found references to La Bakana online, and that in a YouTube video of an interview with “Super Dany,” he stated that his name is Danerys Gonzalez.
Radio World emailed Gonzalez and will report any comment. People facing a pirate radio NAL have 30 days to reply to the FCC, to explain why they should not be required to pay the fine.
[Related: “Pirate Radio Is Not Just a Big-City Problem”]
