Reps Pallone and Doyle to FCC: Do Not Terminate Sinclair Review

House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Doyle (D-PA) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urging the Commission to get to the bottom of allegations that Sinclair Broadcast Group lied to the FCC in the company’s failed attempt to acquire Tribune Media Company. In the letter, the lawmakers expressed their hope that the FCC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) would continue its ongoing review of the allegations against Sinclair.  In the event the ALJ closes its review before resolving the allegations against Sinclair, the lawmakers are urging Chairman Pai to direct the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to review Sinclair’s conduct in the merger proceeding to determine whether Sinclair violated the law and FCC rules.  “Such a review should specifically examine whether Sinclair violated the law prohibiting licensees from making false material statements or omissions to the FCC," they wrote. Reps Pallone and Doyle continued that if such allegations are accurate, “Such conduct may violate the Communications Act, and raises doubts as to whether Sinclair is sufficiently qualified to retain its FCC licenses.  We understand that Sinclair wishes to withdraw its merger transaction from review and that the Enforcement Bureau does not oppose.   Nevertheless, it is important for the integrity of the institution that an investigation into Sinclair’s alleged misrepresentations and lack of candor be conducted.  It must be clear to Sinclair, and other licensees, that there are severe consequences for lying to the FCC.  For those reasons, we request that you direct the Enforcement Bureau to investigate this matter, if the ALJ does not.”