Two Boston Pirate FM Stations Raided, Equipment Seized

Pirates Raided

Equipment from two pirate radio stations in BOSTON was seized in raids by U.S. marshals and the BOSTON Police Department on behalf of the FCC and U.S. Attorney's Office on MONDAY (3/26).  The pirate known as "BIG CITY" on 100.3, 105.3, and 101.3 FM from ROXBURY studios and a DORCHESTER antenna, and the pirate "B87.7 FM" on 87.7 FM in DORCHESTER were shut down in a raid at the antenna location.  Assistant U.S. Attorney DAVID G. LAZARUS of the Asset Forfeiture Unit is in charge of the matter for the MASSACHUSETTS U.S. Attorney's Office.

“When pirate radio stations refuse to cease operations, despite multiple warnings, action must be taken,” said U.S. Attorney ANDREW E. LELLING. “It is a public safety hazard for illegal radio stations to broadcast, potentially interfering with critical radio communications. We will work in conjunction with the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to identify violators of federal communications law.”

“Pirate radio stations are operating without an FCC license – and therefore breaking the law, as well as interfering with licensed broadcasters and potentially preventing those broadcasters from delivering critical public-safety information to listeners,” said Enforcement Bureau Chief ROSEMARY HAROLD.  “We are pursuing multiple legal routes to stop pirate broadcasters; the seizure action in BOSTON is just one of them.  We thank our partners in the MASSACHUSETTS U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service, and we’re particularly thankful for the great work of FCC Field agents in combatting this problem.”

FCC Commissioner MICHAEL O'RIELLY said, "It is great to learn of swift and stern efforts by the Commission and Department of Justice to seize equipment of two BOSTON pirate radio ‘stations.’  Chairman PAI’s leadership in this space reaffirms that this FCC will not sit idly by while pirates flaunt our rules.  It also complements the bipartisan Congressional legislative effort, which I strongly support, to give the Commission increased tools, including enhanced fines and the ability to also impose liabilities on landlords.”

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