FCC Warns 9 Landowners of Possible Pirate Fines

The FCC Enforcement Bureau sent warnings of possible forfeitures of up to $2.3 million each to nine owners of Miami-area properties for allegedly hosting pirate radio stations, said a news release and enforcement bureau letters Friday. “Providing a safe haven” for unlicensed radio operations “can have serious consequences for landowners and property managers that allow this conduct to occur on their properties,” said Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal in the release. The notices sent to property owners formally notify them of the illegal broadcasting identified by FCC field agents, inform them of their liability, demand proof that the broadcasts have ceased and request that the broadcaster be identified. “Persons or entities found to willfully and knowingly suffer” third parties “to engage in so-called 'pirate radio' broadcasting on their property can face significant financial penalties,” the letters said. Letters were sent to Florida's Black Marlin Properties in Hollywood, Dion and Delbreanna Robin in Hialeah, DRT Development in Fort Lauderdale, Gusman and Silvana Luberisse in Boynton Beach, Marie Esperance in North Miami, Promenade Plaza in Hollywood, Royal Point Condominium Association in Lauderdale Lakes and Sherria Elliott in Plantation. A letter also was sent to Lago Palma MHC in Skokie, Illinois.