FCC Settles Five Lifeline Improper Payment Investigations

The Federal Communications Commission announced it has settled its investigations of five providers that received improper payments from the Lifeline program. Noting that the companies have already repaid the program for improper payments, the FCC found that the public interest would be served by adopting the Consent Decrees, which resolve the Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeitures issued to the companies. As part of each settlement, the companies have agreed to make additional payments to the U.S. Treasury, and to implement compliance plans to ensure future adherence to program rules.

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said, "I am forced to also register a dissent in these cases, because while I believe the Commission should have taken strong and decisive action, the Enforcement Bureau under this Chairman continues to show bias. It essentially gives hall passes to large, well-known corporations when wrongdoing is found, while it fines little-known small businesses and individuals substantial sums of money for harms which are often substantially narrower." 


FCC Settles Five Lifeline Improper Payment Investigations