A pirate operator in Pennsylvania admitted he had been running an unauthorized radio station and entered into a consent decree with the Federal Communications Commission to resolve any further investigation into his activities.
[Read: O’Rielly Seeks Funding to Implement PIRATE Act]
The Enforcement Bureau resolved its investigation of Anthony M. Edwards, who was said to have operated an unauthorized radio station on 90.7 MHz and 91.5 MHz in Stroudsburg, Pa. To settle the matter, Edwards admitted he operated the station. He also agreed not to operate an unauthorized radio station in the future. As part of the settlement, Edwards agreed to pay a $1,500 civil penalty.
If Edwards reneges on his agreement, the FCC said it will hand down an additional civil penalty. This means that if the commission finds that he was involved with operating an unauthorized radio station at any time over the next 20 years, Edwards will be responsible for an additional $23,000 penalty.
The FCC noted that Edwards’ actions took place before the heavy-hitting PIRATE Act, which was enacted in January 2020. That legislation gives the commission the authority to levy much higher fines — up to $100,000 per violation and $2 million in total.
