Pirate Radio Stations In Boston Get Busted

BOSTON, MA — Radio transmission equipment from two radio stations that were operating illegally in Boston was seized on Monday, according to the Department of Justice.

“Big City,” which broadcast at various times on 100.3 FM, 105.3 FM, and 101.3 FM, from Dorchester, and a studio in Roxbury, and “B87.7 FM,” which operated on 87.7 FM from Dorchester, were operating without a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), according to court documents unsealed Wednesday.

The FCC issued multiple warnings to the illegal operators, but the radio stations continued to broadcast. Authorities seized equipment operated by each radio station at that station’s antenna location on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester. The forfeiture came after the FCC received complaints, including a complaint from a licensed broadcaster about interference with its radio signal.

“When pirate radio stations refuse to cease operations, despite multiple warnings, action must be taken,” said United States 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 Rosemary Harold, Chief of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau. “We are pursuing multiple legal routes to stop pirate broadcasters; the seizure action in Boston is just one of them."

She thanked the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service, and the FCC Field agents for their work on the case.

The Communications Act of 1934 prohibits the operation of radio broadcasting equipment above certain low-intensity thresholds without a license issued by the FCC. The Act authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of any electronic or radio frequency equipment used to broadcast without an FCC license. The number of available radio frequencies is limited, and unlicensed broadcasting can interfere with the broadcasting of legitimate licensed radio stations, potentially causing chaos in the radio spectrum.

>> What are you doing right now? Sign up for the free morning newsletter to get local and area breaking news updates.

• Photo credit: Shutterstock/Forest Run