FCC reduces amateur licensee's fine
from $12,000 to $400
The FCC has reduced the fine it had proposed to levy on an Ohio amateur
from $12,000 to $400.
In May 2003, the FCC released a Notice of Apparent Liability to Ronald
E. Sauer, N8QN (ex-WE8E), of Bedford Heights.
The FCC's decision to reduce Sauer's fine, spelled out in an August 6
Forfeiture Order, was based on his inability to pay.
The fine stemmed from the FCC's finding that Sauer had deliberately interfered
with Canadian Amateur Radio operations, transmitted music, failed to identify
and violated other FCC Part 97 rules. The FCC said Sauer did not contest
the FCC's findings, but sought to have the fine cancelled because he couldn't
pay it.
"After reviewing Sauer's supporting financial documentation, we
agree that he is unable to pay the proposed $12,000 forfeiture,"
the FCC said in its Order, which concluded that a $400 fine was appropriate
and "consistent with precedent."
Although it drastically reduced the fine, the FCC admonished Sauer for
his "deliberate, willful and repeated violations" of Part 97
rules and cautioned him that further violations could result in additional
enforcement measures including license revocation.
Sauer claimed that he is unemployed, owns no real property and lives
on Social Security. He submitted recent Social Security benefit statements
to back up his assertions, the FCC Order said.
Sorce: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The
American Radio Relay League
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