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Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
In the Matter of
Alejandro Ramirez
Paterson, New Jersey
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File No.: EB-FIELDNER-15-00019219
NAL/Acct. No.: 201532380003
FRN: 0024891756
NOTICE OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE
Adopted: September 18, 2015 Released: September 18, 2015
By the District Director, New York Office, Northeast Region, Enforcement Bureau:
INTRODUCTION
We propose a penalty of $15,000 against Alejandro Ramirez for operating an unlicensed radio station on 90.5 MHz in Paterson, New Jersey. The Commission previously warned Mr. Ramirez that operation of this unlicensed station was illegal and that continued operation could result in further enforcement action. Mr. Ramirez' deliberate disregard of the Commission's warning warrants a significant penalty. Commission action in this area is essential because unlicensed radio stations create a danger of interference to licensed communications and undermine the Commission's authority over FM broadcast radio operations.
BACKGROunD
Mr. Ramirez has a history of operating unlicensed FM stations in New Jersey. In 2013 and 2014, Mr. Ramirez and his wife, Hilda Rodriguez, received two Notices of Unlicensed Operation for operating a pirate station on 90.5 MHz from various locations within Paterson. On May 18, 2015, in response to continued complaints of unlicensed operation in Paterson, New Jersey, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's New York Office (New York Office) used mobile direction-finding techniques to locate the source of radio frequency transmissions on the frequency 90.5 MHz to an FM antenna mounted on the roof of a multi-family dwelling located at 474-476 River Street, Paterson, New Jersey. The agents recorded the station, took field strength measurements of the station's signal and determined that the transmissions on 90.5 MHz exceeded the limits for operation under Part 15 of the Commission's rules (Rules), and therefore required a license. The agents consulted the Commission's records and confirmed that no authorization had been issued to Mr. Ramirez, or to anyone else, for the operation of an FM broadcast station at or near this residence in Paterson, New Jersey.
On May 28, 2015, the New York Office sent the property owner, Struga Properties, LLC (Struga), a Notice of Unlicensed Operation informing it that an unlicensed radio station was operating on 90.5 MHz at a residence owned by the company in Paterson, New Jersey and warned Struga that continued unlicensed operations could result in additional enforcement action. No response to the Notice was received, but upon returning to the property the agents noted that the FM antenna had been removed from the roof of the residence.
On August 5, 2015, in response to additional complaints of unlicensed operation, agents from the New York Office again used mobile direction-finding techniques to identify the source of transmissions on the frequency 90.5 MHz to a new location at 86 Haledon Avenue, Paterson, New Jersey, a single family dwelling. The agents again recorded the station, took field strength measurements of the station's signal, confirmed that the transmissions exceeded the limits for operation under Part 15 of the Commission's rules, and determined that no authorization had been issued to Mr. Ramirez or to anyone else, for the operation of a station at or near this single family dwelling. On August 6, 2015, agents from the New York Office searched property records for 86 Haledon Avenue and confirmed that this property is owned by Hilda Rodriguez, Mr. Ramirez' wife. A subsequent search of the Internet revealed that a radio station calling itself KalienteMix purports to operate from 86 Haledon Avenue, Paterson, New Jersey and that the Program Director and Producer of KalienteMix is listed as Mr. Alejandro Ramirez.
On August 18, 2015, the New York Office issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation to Ms. Rodriguez informing her that an unlicensed radio station was operating on 90.5 MHz at a residence owned by her in Paterson, New Jersey and warning Ms. Rodriguez that continued unlicensed operations could result in additional enforcement action. On August 20, 2015, the New York Office also issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation to Mr. Alejandro Ramirez stating that his operation of a radio station at 90.5 MHz violated Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), must cease immediately, and could subject him to significant forfeitures. Neither Ms. Rodriguez nor Mr. Ramirez responded to the Notices.
DISCUSSION
We find that Mr. Ramirez apparently willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301 of the Act. Section 301 of the Act states that no person shall use or operate any apparatus for the transmission of energy or communications or signals by radio within the United States without a license granted by the Commission. On May 18, 2015, and August 5, 2015, agents from the New York Office determined that an unlicensed radio station operated on 90.5 MHz from Mr. Ramirez' residences. Mr. Ramirez was warned by the Commission that such unlicensed operations violated the Act. As a result, we find Mr. Ramirez apparently willfully and repeatedly violated Section 301 of the Act by operating an unlicensed radio station.
Section 503(b) of the Act provides that any person who willfully or repeatedly fails to comply substantially with the terms and conditions of any license, or willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with any of the provisions of the Act or of any rule, regulation, or order issued by the Commission thereunder, shall be liable for a forfeiture penalty. Here, Section 503(b)(2)(D) of the Act authorizes us to assess a forfeiture against Mr. Ramirez of up to $16,000 for each day of a continuing violation, up to a statutory maximum of $122,500 for a single act or failure to act. In exercising our forfeiture authority, we must consider the "nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and such other matters as justice may require." In addition, the Commission has established forfeiture guidelines; they establish base penalties for certain violations and identify criteria that we consider when determining the appropriate penalty in any given case. Under these guidelines, we may adjust a forfeiture upward for violations that are egregious, intentional, or repeated, or that cause substantial harm or generate substantial economic gain for the violator.
Section 1.80(b) of the Rules sets a base forfeiture of $10,000 for operation without an instrument of authorization. We have discretion, however, to depart from these guidelines, taking into account the particular facts of each individual case. We find that the violations here warrant a proposed forfeiture above the base amount. On multiple occasions, Mr. Ramirez was issued warnings explaining that unlicensed operation of a radio station violated the law and could subject him to further enforcement action, including a substantial monetary forfeiture. Despite having received these warnings, Mr. Ramirez continued to operate the unlicensed radio station. The fact that Mr. Ramirez continued to operate an unlicensed station after being put on notice that his actions contravened the Act, the Rules, and related Commission orders demonstrates a deliberate disregard for the Commission's authority and requirements. Thus, we find that an upward adjustment in the forfeiture amount of $5,000 is warranted. After applying the Forfeiture Policy Statement, Section 1.80 of the Rules, and the statutory factors, we propose a total forfeiture of $15,000, for which Mr. Ramirez is apparently liable.
ORDERING CLAUSES
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 503(b) of the Act and Section 1.80 of the Rules, Alejandro Ramirez is hereby NOTIFIED of this APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for willful and repeated violations of Section 301 of the Act.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 1.80 of the Rules, within thirty (30) calendar days of the release date of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, Alejandro Ramirez SHALL PAY the full amount of the proposed forfeiture or SHALL FILE a written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture consistent with paragraph 13 below.
Payment of the forfeiture must be made by check or similar instrument, wire transfer, or credit card, and must include the NAL/Account Number and FRN referenced above. Alejandro Ramirez shall send electronic notification of payment to NER-Response@fcc.gov on the date said payment is made. Regardless of the form of payment, a completed FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice) must be submitted. When completing the FCC Form 159, enter the Account Number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID) and enter the letters "FORF" in block number 24A (payment type code). Below are additional instructions that should be followed based on the form of payment selected:
* Payment by check or money order must be made payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission. Such payments (along with the completed Form 159) must be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank - Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.
* Payment by wire transfer must be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank TREAS/NYC, and Account Number 27000001. To complete the wire transfer and ensure appropriate crediting of the wired funds, a completed Form 159 must be faxed to U.S. Bank at (314) 418-4232 on the same business day the wire transfer is initiated.
* Payment by credit card must be made by providing the required credit card information on FCC Form 159 and signing and dating the Form 159 to authorize the credit card payment. The completed Form 159 must then be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank - Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.
Any request for making full payment over time under an installment plan should be sent to: Chief Financial Officer -- Financial Operations, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 1-A625, Washington, DC 20554. Questions regarding payment procedures should be directed to the Financial Operations Group Help Desk by phone, 1-877-480-3201, or by e-mail, ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov.
The written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture, if any, must include a detailed factual statement supported by appropriate documentation and affidavits pursuant to Sections 1.16 and 1.80(f)(3) of the Rules. The written statement must be mailed to the Federal Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau, Northeast Region, New York Office, 201 Varick Street, Suite 1151, New York, NY 10014, and must include the NAL/Account Number referenced in the caption. The statement must also be e-mailed to NER-Response@fcc.gov.
The Commission will not consider reducing or canceling a forfeiture in response to a claim of inability to pay unless the petitioner submits: (1) federal tax returns for the most recent three-year period; (2) financial statements prepared according to generally accepted accounting practices; or (3) some other reliable and objective documentation that accurately reflects the petitioner's current financial status. Any claim of inability to pay must specifically identify the basis for the claim by reference to the financial documentation.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture shall be sent by first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, to Alejandro Ramirez at his address of record.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Stephen Maguire
District Director
New York Office
Northeast Region
Enforcement Bureau