The FCC has revoked the license of a Shelbyville, Ky., radio station after the licensee failed to pay six years’ worth of regulatory fees.
According to an FCC revocation order, Pedro Arce, licensee for WCND(AM), failed to pay his station’s regulatory fees for fiscal 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023, racking up $9,261 in debt. WCND, branded as La Pantera 940, served the eastern suburbs in the Louisville metropolitan area. The station aired a Regional Mexican radio format.
Under the Communications Act, the FCC has the authorization to impose additional 25% penalties to any late payments owed to the commission. FCC rules state the commission can revoke authorizations for failure to pay regulatory fees — or related interest and penalties — in a timely fashion.
In the case of WCND, the licensee failed to timely pay, or only partially paid, the regulatory fees for those years. On April 30, the FCC Media Bureau issued an Order to Pay or to Show Cause, requiring Arce to submit evidence showing full payment of the regulatory fee debt owed, or show cause why the fees were inapplicable or should be waived or deferred. The order stated that failure to provide the evidence or show cause within the 60-day window could result in revocation of the license.
To date, the FCC said Arce has not paid any of the debts or filed a written response to the order. Subsequently, WCND’s license was officially revoked on July 25.
