The FCC has returned to work armed with a fine against a low-power TV station operator.
The FCC has fined the operators of the unlicensed Kentucky TV station $144,344 after it concluded they had been operating the Morehead, Ky., LPVT for years after the FCC revoked its license for failure to file a renewal application. (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-2A1.pdf)
Stations must periodically renew their licenses since they must operate in the public interest to maintain them.
In 2017, the FCC issued a notice of apparent liability to Vearl Pennington and Michael Williamson for operating the unlicensed station. They responded that they had tried to file a late renewal application in 2004, six years late (it was not accepted), but did not deny that they have since been operating the station without that license.
The FCC denied their appeal of the forfeiture, finding no reason to cancel or reduce the fine, and has now made it official.
Pennington and Williamson have 30 days to pay.
