The inspector general wants to know whether Ajit Pai improperly pushed through rules in an effort to benefit the Sinclair Broadcast Group, according to the NYTimes on Thursday.
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), the top Democrat on House Commerce Committee and an outspoken critic of Pai, confirmed the report in a statement and praised the move.
"I am particularly concerned about reports that Chairman Pai may have coordinated with Sinclair to time a series of commission actions to benefit the company," he continued. "I am grateful to the FCC's Inspector General that he has decided to take up this important investigation."
Conservative-leaning Sinclair is proposing a takeover of Tribune Media. The combined local television stations would be able to reach more than two-thirds of the country’s television audience. Broadcasters are currently capped at 39 percent.Pai’s critics have noted that he has pushed through a number of deregulatory proposals that appear to clear obstacles from Sinclair’s proposed expansion, reports The Hill.
Pai's office declined to comment on the report, but the chairman has denied his deregulatory agenda was intended to benefit any one company. He's also accused Democrats of singling out Sinclair for criticism because of its editorial leanings.
An FCC spokesman said in a statement that allegations that Pai has shown favoritism toward Sinclair are "absurd," noting that the FCC recently handed the broadcaster a $13.4 million fine.
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