The FCC is stepping up its enforcement efforts against alleged pirate broadcaster Wilfredo Ayala, issuing a new warning aimed at the landlord of a Hartford property tied to unauthorized radio transmissions of “La Tropica Radio.”
On Friday, Enforcement Bureau Region One Regional Director David Dombrowski sent a Notice of Illegal Pirate Radio Broadcasting to the owner of a commercial building at 30 Arbor Street in Hartford, where unlicensed broadcasts on 94.5 MHz have been traced. Although the notice does not name Ayala directly, the signal is believed to be associated with “La Tropica Radio,” a station linked to him under FCC action earlier this year.
On January 8, the Commission issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture proposing a $60,000 fine on Ayala after agents from the New York and Boston field offices recorded broadcasts on 94.5 MHz on three occasions in 2024. Despite the forfeiture notice, illegal activity appears to have continued, prompting broader enforcement under new PIRATE Act authority.
The PIRATE Act empowers the Commission to take action not only against individuals operating unlicensed stations but also against property owners where illegal broadcasts originate. Despite misgivings from GOP Commissioner Nathan Simington, the Republican-led FCC is picking up right where the Biden-era FCC left off.
Last month, Chairman Carr emphasized, “The FCC will not tolerate unlicensed radio broadcasting. It’s that simple. Licensed radio stations have invested time and money into their operations and are relied on by the listening public for news, entertainment, and even life-saving warnings. Pirate operations break the law and get in the way of these important services.”
While Ayala purports to be a “broadcaster in Connecticut,” records show no license assigned to him on 94.5 MHz. In the Hartford area, the only authorized station on that frequency is WERB-FM, operated by Berlin High School.
The property management company connected to the 30 Arbor Street site now has 10 business days from April 25 to respond to the Commission’s notice, as the FCC continues its pressure campaign to shut down unlicensed broadcasting operations tied to Ayala.
With reporting from Adam R Jacobson
We deserve amateur broadcasting bands. The people have a right to the spectrum and it should be allocated to give space to low-power community and individual broadcasting, with low barriers to entry. It should have happened a long time ago, and yet we still have nothing like it. Part 15 radio should be updated for practicable range and power limits.
Interesting to see the FCC taking a stronger stance under the PIRATE Act. It’s important to protect licensed broadcasters, but it’s also a reminder of how complex enforcement can get when property owners are involved. Will be curious to see how this plays out.