Wicker Calls for Sohn to Testify on Locast Settlement

Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., confirmed to us Monday he’s asking for a panel hearing on ethics concerns about Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn’s role as a board member for Locast operator Sports Fans Coalition given the shuttered sports rebroadcaster’s $32 million lawsuit settlement, as expected (see 2201130071). “My initial review of the confidential settlement raises several troubling questions about” Sohn’s “nomination,” Wicker said in a statement. “The possibility of the nominee’s future financial liability to a number of companies regulated by the FCC, and the timing of this settlement in relation to her nomination, demands a full discussion by the committee to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the ability for this nominee to act without any cloud of ethical doubt. The committee needs to hold a new hearing on this matter to provide the nominee an opportunity to fully address these concerns.” A committee GOP spokesperson confirmed Wicker obtained a copy of the confidential version of the settlement from involved broadcasters. Senate Commerce Democrats are highly unlikely to agree to hold the hearing, but amplified attention on Sohn’s Locast connections could be problematic because the majority has been eyeing a panel vote on the nominee Jan. 26 (see 2201070058). The White House and Senate Commerce didn’t comment Tuesday.