The FCC Enforcement Bureau’s New York Office has sent 13 different landlords in New York City, Rockland County, N.Y., and northern New Jersey the “pirate letter” after discovering alleged illegal FM broadcasts originating from their properties.
The NYC metropolitan area is notoriously known for pirate operators. Each of the 13 cases outlined below occurred within the last year.
According to FCC Rules, the landlords could face a fine of nearly $2.4 million if the commission determines that an illegal broadcast continued from a property they own or manage after receiving notice.
The 2020 passage of the PIRATE Act provided the FCC additional enforcement authority against pirate broadcasters — including periodic sweeps, enforcement action against both landlords and property owners and tougher fines. At the start of the year, the commission also ordered six vehicles to support four new full-time hires to assist with efforts.
The 13 letters sent out to property owners in New York and New Jersey by Enforcement Bureau Regional Director David Dombrowski went to:
- 80 Lenox, LLC, for a broadcast on 90.9 FM originating from Lenox Road in Brooklyn, N.Y., between Nov. 2023 and Feb. 2024.
- 601 at 190 Company, LLC, for a broadcast on 94.9 FM originating from a St. Nicholas Ave. address in Inwood, N.Y., in May 2024.
- 770 Realty, LLC, for a broadcast on 106.3 FM originating from a New York Ave. address in Brooklyn, N.Y., between Nov. 2023 and Feb. 2024.
- 803 Sanford, LLC, for a broadcast on 90.9 FM originating from a Sanford Ave. address in Newark, N.J., in Jan. 2024.
- 2522 Realty, LLC, for a broadcast on 94.9 FM originating from a University Ave. address in Bronx, N.Y., in Jan. 2024.
- Rene and Pierrette Baptiste, for a broadcast on 94.1 FM originating from a Gerow Ave. address in Spring Valley, N.Y., between Feb. and April 2024.
- CRR Ross, LLC, for a broadcast on 105.5 FM originating from a E. 35th St. address in Brooklyn, N.Y., in Nov. 2023.
- Saint Hubert and Rosemise Exantus, for a broadcast on 87.9 FM originating from a Schofield St. address in Newark, N.J., between Nov. 2023 and Jan. 2024.
- Gais Jeune and Isabel Moriceau, for a broadcast on 91.7 FM originating from a Tiffany Pl. address in Irvington, N.J., between Nov. 2023 and Jan 2024.
- Roy, Annette and Gladys Mc Claire, for a broadcast on 102.5 FM originating from a Sanford Ave. address in Newark, N.J., in Nov. 2023.
- Parkash 2691, LLC, for a broadcast on 88.9 FM originating from a Reservoir Ave. address in Bronx, N.Y., between Nov. 2023 and Jan. 2024.
- W 2030, LLC, for a broadcast on 90.5 FM originating from a Nostrand Ave. address in Brooklyn, N.Y., between Nov. 2023 and Jan. 2024.
- Royen A. Wedderburn, for a broadcast on 91.9 FM originating from a E. 92nd St. address in Brooklyn, N.Y., in Jan. 2024.
Each of the owners has 10 business days from the date of the notice to respond to the Enforcement Bureau with evidence indicating they are no longer permitting the alleged illegal broadcast at the property in question. The letters also request identification of the individuals involved.
The PIRATE Act requires the FCC to showcase a database of enforcement efforts. At present, it has been updated through Dec. 2023.
