FCC Proposes Record Fine for Alleged Election-Related Robocalls
The FCC proposed a $5.13 million fine Tuesday for alleged illegal robocalls tied to the 2020 general election. The fine was proposed against John Burkman, Jacob Wohl and JM Burkman & Associates, and sets a new record for a violation…
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of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the FCC said. Commissioners OK’d the notice 4-0. It’s the first action “where the FCC was not required to warn robocallers before robocall violations could be counted toward a proposed fine, per Congress’ recent amendment of the TCPA,” the agency said. Those cited allegedly made 1,141 illegal robocalls to wireless phones without prior express consent. The calls “used messages telling potential voters that, if they vote by mail, their ‘personal information will be part of a public database that will be used by police departments to track down old warrants and be used by credit card companies to collect outstanding debts,’” the FCC said. The investigation followed consumer complaints and concerns raised by a nonprofit organization, the agency said. Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel thanked the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for helping gather evidence and build a case: “This kind of collaboration is vitally important in our work to combat illegal robocalls and I look forward to future collaboration like this with other law enforcement partners nationwide.” The company didn't comment.