FCC Boss Being Investigated For Potential Corruption FCC boss Ajit Pai is being investigated by his own agency for potential corruption. Pai is already facing multiple inquiries into his rushed repeal of net neutrality and the shady events that occurred during it. Now he's facing an additional investigation into whether he gutted decades-old media consolidation rules exclusively to benefit Sinclair Broadcasting. Pai has been dismantling said rules just as Sinclair Broadcasting is trying to gain approval for its $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune Media.

According to the New York Times , the FCC Inspector General began an investigation last fall into whether Pai is a bit too cozy with the companies he is supposed to be holding accountable. Late last year, "the top internal watchdog for the F.C.C. opened an investigation into whether Mr. Pai and his aides had improperly pushed for the rule changes and whether they had timed them to benefit Sinclair," the report notes. "It was unclear the extent of the inspector general’s investigation or when it might conclude, but the inquiry puts a spotlight on Mr. Pai’s decisions and whether there had been coordination with the company," notes the report. "It may also force him to answer questions that he has so far avoided addressing in public." The Inspector General is a nonpartisan position at the FCC. Consumer groups have routinely argued that Sinclair's latest expansion would all but decimate diversity in local media reporting. The deal, which wouldn't have even been possible until Pai dismantled numerous protections, would give the already-controversial network control of over 200 local-TV stations nationwide, reaching more than 70 percent of the country. Opposition to the deal is bipartisan in nature. Conservatives realize that a more powerful Sinclair would likely work to stifle smaller, independent media outlets unfairly. Liberals share those concerns, while also expressing worries that Sinclair's often distorted definition of "news" will erode national discourse further--just as the country is trying to come to grips with domestic and foreign disinformation and its impact on the electoral process. Consumer groups quickly pounced on the news, arguing that Pai should step back from overseeing his multiple efforts to gut media consolidation rules (or from approving the Sinclair merger) until the inquiry is complete. That is something anyone familiar with Ajit Pai knows won't be happening. "Until the inspector general’s investigation is complete, Chairman Pai and any other FCC staff subject to this inquiry should recuse themselves from all dealings related to Sinclair’s proposed takeover of Tribune Media," Free Press Senior Counsel Jessica J. González said in a statement. "If the investigation finds that Pai or any other FCC staff did indeed let their own bias and favoritism shape decisions related to the deal, they must not be permitted to vote on this matter and they should be subject to other appropriate ethics-review processes." Pai is also facing numerous inquiries into Pai's behavior on the net neutrality front, including a GAO investigation into why the agency appeared to have Pai is also facing numerous inquiries into Pai's behavior on the net neutrality front, including a GAO investigation into why the agency appeared to have made up a DDOS attack during its net neutrality repeal, and another into why the agency turned a blind eye toward identity theft and fraud during the repeal's open comment proceeding. That's in addition to numerous lawsuits from consumer groups, 23 State Attorneys General, and companies negatively impacted by Pai's extremely unpopular handout to the nation's biggest ISPs.







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Most recommended from 51 comments



Ut98Ex

join:2012-07-11

Georgetown, TX 91 recommendations Ut98Ex Member SHOCKED! That someone from the most transparent administration in human history would be under such investigation. This must be fake news! /s Thistool

join:2013-12-05

Auburn, WA 70 recommendations Thistool Member Couldnt happen to a better man. Best News of the day. Lucifer21

join:2015-07-01

Tracy, CA 56 recommendations Lucifer21 Member Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. But who am I to judge?

davidc502

join:2002-03-06

Mount Juliet, TN 27 recommendations davidc502 Member good I hope this guy gets ousted, tared and feathered.



He's a complete joke to the industry. Roadkill

Premium Member

join:2008-06-17

united state 26 recommendations Roadkill Premium Member Corruption I rarely go for the Cheetos this early in the morning, but I had to. I saw the title of the article, smiled, topped off my coffee, and pulled out my geek food. I lazily read the article enjoying every word and cheeto consumed. How can they not investigate Pai and his criminal behavior? I can only theorize that Pai's recent behavior only mirrors his past behavior in all of his dealings at the FCC.

kdwycha

join:2003-01-30

Ruskin, FL 23 recommendations kdwycha Member Good However even if he is found to be corrupt or took bribes he would never set foot in a Federal Pound You In The A$$ Prison.



Those are meant to warehouse personal use drug offenders so for profit federal prisons make money. Not for the elite.

tyspeed29

Premium Member

join:2001-01-04

Simi Valley, CA 21 recommendations tyspeed29 Premium Member about time When a conviction is apparent and net neutrality is rolled back because of the corruption then will be time to celebrate.

buzz_4_20

join:2003-09-20

Biddeford, ME 12 recommendations buzz_4_20 Member You had me at... Former Verizon Lawyer.... tpkatl

join:2009-11-16

Dacula, GA 8 recommendations tpkatl Member Follow the money and it will lead you to the criminal

Simba7

I Void Warranties

join:2003-03-24

Fromberg, MT 8 recommendations Simba7 Member Naw!! I think my sarcasm meter just went to an all-time high.

Anon1f0a1

@hsbc.com 4 recommendations Anon1f0a1 Anon manage expectations Pai appears to be smart enough to not do anything he doesn't expect to get away with. Donnie will pardon him if someone makes a charge stick. kerplunk

join:2003-04-06

Tampa, FL 4 recommendations kerplunk Member Net Neutrality is the only evidence they need. But guess what? NOTHING will come of this.