FCC Fines Unlicensed LPTV Operators $144,000; Rosenworcel Concurs

The FCC issued fined $144,344operators of a Kentucky low-power TV station that broadcast for years without a valid license, said a release and order released Tuesday. Jessica Rosenworcel concurred. W10BM Morehead didn’t renew its license in 1998 and its was canceled in 2004, but operators Vearl Pennington and Michael Williamson continued to broadcast even after Enforcement Bureau agents warned them in person to stop, said the order. Though Pennington and Williamson argued they unsuccessfully tried to renew the station’s license with a late-filed application in 2004, they didn’t disagree “the Station has operated for more than 18 years without authorization,” the order said. Williamson disputed FCC authority over the station and submitted a petition signed by more than 100 area residents asking it waive the forfeiture and let the station operate, the order said. “We do not give weight to service to the community in the context of a proceeding involving an unlicensed broadcast station.” The FCC found Pennington's claim not to have visited the station’s facilities in 15 years to be “contrary to the weight of the evidence.” Though Williamson and Pennington said they would be financially unable to pay, the FCC declined reduction, “based on the egregious, intentional, and repeated nature of the violation.” Pennington and Williamson couldn’t be reached for comment. W10’s website and YouTube channel remain up, respectively promoting the station’s call-in show Buy a Dog-Sell a Hog! and a video from Russia Today about security agencies blackmailing judges.