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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Casper Radio: More Fines Levied On Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting

The owner of several Casper radio stations has paid $21,000 in back wages to former employees in a settlement announced by the U.S. Department of Laborm according to The Star-Tribune.

The government alleged Jan Charles Gray violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to pay minimum wage and overtime to ten former employees at three of his companies: Casper-based Mount Rushmore Broadcasting, the All American Inn in Glenrock and American President Resorts in Custer, South Dakota.  

Under the terms of the settlement, Gray is required to pay minimum wage and overtime, maintain accurate records and train managers and employees about their rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act. He is barred from retaliating against employees who file complaints with the wage and hour division.

Gray said $4,850 in back wages were paid to former Mount Rushmore Broadcasting employees. The remaining $16,150 was paid to hotel employees, he said.

Former Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting employees claimed Gray failed to properly pay workers. Allegations date as far back as August 2008.

In November 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor sued Gray, alleging workers received less than federal minimum wage and weren't paid overtime for working more than 40 hours in a week. Authorities further accused Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting of failing to keep adequate employee work records.

Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting owns KMLD 94.5 FM, KASS 106.9 FM , KQLT 103.7 FM and KHOC 102.5 FM, KVOC 1230 AM 1230 in Casper, along with stations in Rawlins and in South Dakota.

Read More Now (H/T to  Airchecker)

Mount Rushmore Broadcasting has seen other huge fine in recent years. Other penalties include a $20,000 fine for "failing to maintain the operational readiness of the EAS (Emergency Readiness System) equipment (see FCC Rules/11.35(a)), as well as other equipment issues and violations and failure to maintain a complete public records file."


Sources connected to the FCC say its 'not likely' Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting will have their licenses renewed once they expire, due to the history of "past violations and cavalier attitude(s) towards following and maintaining" rules and regulations.

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