The Federal Communications Commission is again levying the full bore of its PIRATE Act power in a firm stance against unlicensed FM radio broadcasting in New York. The targeted operations are located in the Bronx, Mount Vernon, and Brooklyn, with combined proposed fines amounting to $6,412,068.
The PIRATE Act, established in 2020, empowers the FCC with enhanced enforcement capabilities, including imposing fines of up to $115,802 per day, with a maximum penalty of $2,316,034. The Act also mandates periodic FCC enforcement sweeps and authorizes action against property owners who knowingly allow pirate radio operations on their premises.
In this enforcement move, the FCC proposed the maximum $2,316,034 against Johnny Peralta, who allegedly has been operating “La Mia Radio” in the Bronx since 2018. The continuation of this station’s operation was confirmed in a recent FCC sweep. Additionally, Dexter Blake faces the same maximum fine for his suspected operation of “Linkage Radio” in Mount Vernon. Another substantial fine of $1,780,000 is proposed against Matthew Bowen for 89 alleged FCC rule violations related to his operation of “Triple9HD” in Brooklyn.
Each of the accused has a 30-day window to either pay the proposed fines or seek their reduction or cancellation, as per FCC regulations. This is another move in the Commission’s rigorous effort to enforce compliance with broadcasting laws and protect licensed radio operations.
Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is intensifying efforts to locate and penalize unlicensed operators, planning to allocate $5 million of a $20.7 million budget increase specifically for this purpose in 2024.
In October, the FCC confirmed a significant Forfeiture Order against unlicensed NYC-area operators César Ayora and Luis Angel Ayora, who also face a complete fine of $2,316,034. Both rantheir unauthorized station, Radio Impacto 2, for more than ten years, despite previous fines and enforcement actions, including equipment seizure in 2016.
