The FCC has ended an investigation into whether Peconic Public Broadcasting, which is buying Long Island University Public Radio Network’s WLIU(FM), Southampton, N.Y., took control of the station prematurely.
The deal has yet to close; Peconic told the agency it recently raised the funds to complete the purchase. LIU and Peconic deny that the buyer took control prematurely, but in the interest of saving the time and expense of fighting the allegation, each agreed to sign a consent decree with the commission, develop a compliance plan and make a $5,000 voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury, according to the FCC.
In its order, the FCC said that without new evidence, “we conclude that our investigation raises no substantial or material questions of fast as to whether Peconic possesses the basic qualifications, included those related to character, to hold” a commission license.
The agency dismissed the third-party complaint.
