Miami Radio: No Pay Reported At WFTL, WMEN

Tense times at talk radio WFTL 850 AM and sports radio WMEN 640 AM.

Gossip Extra at The Miami Herald is reporting that the 75 or so employees of the stations, both owned by local radio pioneer Jim Hilliard’ s James Crystal Radio Group, haven’t been paid since Jan. 1.

Among the unfortunate workers: High-profile talkers Joyce Kaufman (850) and Sid Rosenberg (640).

What’s up?

The stations’ GM says the holder of a $17 million loan managed to freeze the group’s bank accounts, so there’s no cash coming out for things like payroll.

“Mr. Hilliard’s been working from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily to resolve the situation,” said GM Steve Lapa. “So far, the employees have only missed one pay period.”