FCC Fines Five Radio Pirates in Florida

A pirate radio station popular in Miami's Haitian-American community has been hit with a steep fine by the FCC.

The FCC says Radio Touche Douce operates illegally from a backyard shed in North Miami. The Miami Herald reports agency is proposing a fine of more than $144,000, the largest amount allowed under FCC regulations.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says pirate radio stations interfere with lawful use of airwaves and can disrupt public safety communications.

Station owner Fabrice Polynice, who has broadcast for 24 years, declined comment on the FCC action. Polynice and the property owners have 30 days to respond to the proposed fine.

The station was continuing its broadcasts last week despite the proposed fine.

The FCC also has proposed four smaller fines in the Miami area.

Penalties of about $358,000 each are proposed against Brindley Marshall, Wilfrid Salomon and Cameron Brown. “All three individuals have been operating pirate radio stations for years and have received multiple warnings to cease their unauthorized broadcasting,” the commission wrote. The dollar figure is the maximum penalty for three days of alleged violations in 2023.  The FCC also proposed a forfeiture of $120,000 against Abdias Datis.

“These operators were not just using the public airwaves unlawfully, they were increasing the risk for harmful interference of authorized users,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement. “That is unacceptable.”

The NALs were approved unanimously by the FCC commissioners.