California Pirate Incurs $10K Fine

The FCC fined Jose Mollinedo for operating an unlicensed radio transmitter on 90.9 MHz in Victorville, Calif.
The agency considered his arguments that he received bad advice from an associate regarding the need for a license, and that since he received the original penalty, he destroyed the equipment and no longer operates the station. The agency said the advice he received is irrelevant; he was notified in writing and orally from the Los Angeles field office that he needed a license and despite these warnings continued to operate the station.