NEWS
                                                                              NEWS



Report No. CI 98-19               COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATION ACTION        October 16,
1998


               FCC CLOSES AN UNLICENSED RADIO STATION IN DETROIT


        The FCC, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshal's Service and the United States Attorney's
Office, seized radio transmission equipment used in the operation of an unlicensed station in Detroit,
Michigan on October 8, 1998.

        The illegal radio station was operating on frequency "95.9 MHz" and calling itself  "La Maquina
Musical."  The FCC determined that the unlicensed radio station was operating at power levels as high
as 8,896 times in excess of permitted power levels for non-licensed broadcasting. The seizure of the
equipment followed FCC warnings to the operator about the unauthorized operations, and attempts by
the Commission's agents to have the station voluntarily discontinue transmissions.

        The FCC urges operators of all unlicensed stations to voluntarily cease illegal broadcasting
operations.  Unlicensed or unauthorized operation of a radio transmitter or station (AM, FM,
International Short Wave and TV) is a violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C.  301.  Under the Communications Act, violators may be subject to penalties up
to $11,000 and the equipment used is subject to seizure and forfeiture by court order.  Unlicensed
operators also could be subject to criminal fines of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one
year, or both, for a first-time offense.

                                                             -FCC-

News media contact:  David H. Fiske at (202) 418-0500.
Compliance and Information Bureau contact: Pamera Hairston at (202) 418-1160