Historically, the fight against pirate radios has proved to be tough because of the lack of repression capacity. For the past 5 years, pirate hunting has become a priority. Authorities have become aware of the danger to the public of such broadcasts as they can disrupt authorized stations that broadcast important public safety emergency alert messages.
The PIRATE Act increases the maximum penalties for operators of pirate radios and gives the FCC increased control over the owners and managers who allow the broadcast of pirate radio from their premises.
The FCC is conducting targeted checks and lawsuits against station owners as well as broadcasting site providers.
The amount of the fine is calculated based on the number of months the station aired.
Here is part of the FCC hunt board:
The winner is... Fabrice Polynice fined $2,391,097 for broadcasting pirate radio in North Miami, Florida.
$920,000 to Masner Beauplan and $40,000 to Wilner Baptiste for broadcasting pirate radios in the New York area.
$325,322 against Abdias Datis and $60,000 against Aaron Streeter, radio pirate in Miami, Florida.
$60,000 in solidarity against Radio Energy, Inc. and Pelege Marcellin, pirate radios in Worcester, Massachusetts.
$60,000 in solidarity against Sheldon Morgan and Morgan Media, LLC in Hartford, CT;
$60,000 against Wilfredo Ayala in Hartford, CT;
$60,000 against Carlos Alberto Vazquez in Paintsville, Ohio;
$40,000 against James Baran at Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio.
$40,000 against Efrain Gonzalez of Waterbury, CT;
$25,000 against Noah Opoku Gyamfi for broadcasting pirate radios in Brockton, Massachusetts.
$20,000 in solidarity against Amoce Pamphile, Alemy Mondestin and Grace Evangelical Radio, Inc., pirate radios in Providence, Rhode Island.
Other pirate radios have signed a "friendly" deal with the FCC:
Brigido Danerys Gonzalez, owner of a pirate radio station in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, has agreed to make a $6,000 voluntary contribution and an additional $34,000 voluntary contribution in the case of non-compliance with the terms of the agreement.
Another agreement has been reached with Jean Marius, accused of pirate radio broadcasting in Brockton, Massachusetts, who has agreed to pay a $10,000 voluntary contribution along with an additional $587,775 voluntary contribution in case of breach of the terms of the agreement.
Wilfrid Salomon, radio pirate in Miami, Florida, has completed a $10,000 voluntary contribution. He also pledged to cease any distribution and make an additional voluntary contribution of $347,665 in case of non-compliance with the terms of the agreement.
The PIRATE law has granted the Commission the power to prosecute anyone who knowingly and willingly tolerates or authorizes pirate radio activities.
This authority allows it to act against property owners and managers who, after being informed of the broadcast of pirate radios from their properties, continue to tolerate such activities.
Field officers with the FCC Law Enforcement Office issued notices to property owners and managers to inform them of pirate radio broadcasts coming from their properties. They also described to them the potential consequences if these activities persist. In fiscal year 2025, the Bureau issued 28 such notifications.
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