Two Iranian nationals were charged with violating U.S. export controls and sanctions after they tried to help Iranian entities buy a petroleum tanker, the Justice Department said May 1. Amir Dianat and Kamran Lajmiri allegedly concealed details about the transaction from the seller, financial institutions and the U.S. government, the agency said, and failed to disclose that the tanker was destined for Iran. Both were charged with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations. The U.S. also filed a civil forfeiture action against Dainat for about $12.3 million, saying the funds were used in a money-laundering scheme to buy the tanker. The scheme involved the National Iranian Oil Company, the National Iranian Tanker Company and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force, all on the Specially Designated Nationals list. The tanker was valued at more than $10 million, Justice said.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wants telecom providers to extend their Keep Americans Connected pledges by an additional month and a half to June 30 (see 2004300037), the agency said Thursday. Several phone, cable and wireless providers announced extensions earlier this week (see 2004270050). March 13, Pai asked providers not to terminate service for 60 days for residential or small-business customers due to inability to pay because of disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic, waive late fees for residential or small-business customers due to COVID-related economic circumstances and open their Wi-Fi hot spots to any American who needs them (see 2003130066).
Top House Democrats said Thursday they see broadband affordability and access as a priority in the next COVID-19 stimulus bill, despite questions about the prospects for addressing such issues in future legislation. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone of New Jersey and other Democrats unveiled a revised broadband legislative proposal that draws largely from a January plan (see 2001290052) and other existing legislation. Senate Democrats plan to file a modified companion to the Emergency Educational Connections Act (HR-6563) in a bid for emergency E-rate funding. House Commerce ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., told us it may be possible to include some form of broadband funding in the next pandemic aid measure.
Export license applications may be delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic as the Commerce Department prioritizes COVID-19-related applications, a top Commerce official said. Not all government agencies have remote access to Commerce’s unclassified system for license applications, which is also causing longer processing times, said Matt Borman, Commerce’s deputy assistant secretary for export administration.
Three Republican members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation urged AT&T to provide access to local stations for all of its DirecTV subscribers in the state before the June 1 effective date of parts of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act. AT&T told members of Congress’ Commerce and Judiciary committees earlier this month it's working to address expected customer upheaval caused by STELA (see 2004200065). Lawmakers repeatedly criticized AT&T during the STELA debate for not offering local signals in 12 designated market areas, including Nebraska’s North Platte and Scottsbluff markets (see 1905310051). “Given the ongoing COVID-19 national emergency, the availability of local broadcast programming is more important,” Sens. Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse and Rep. Adrian Smith wrote AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson. AT&T is "currently in discussions with each of the major broadcast networks to obtain access to their national programming for many" impacted customers, a spokesperson emailed. "Local stations have exclusive control over who can offer their content within their communities. Our goal is to continue providing network content to as many homes as possible and impacted customers are eligible for a credit."
CBP is not currently planning to extend the 90-day customs duty deferral option beyond April, a CBP official said during an April 30 conference call. CBP lacks the authority to grant additional days for payment of duties, taxes and fees and the agency hasn't received instructions from the White House to indicate an extension of the program, she said. President Donald Trump authorized the Treasury Department to defer collections of customs duties during the COVID-19 national emergency (see 2004200024)
House Judiciary Antitrust Chairman David Cicilline, D-R.I., names Megan Garcia, from New America, deputy chief of staff and legislative director ... BakerHostetler hires Jeewon Kim Serrato, ex-Norton Rose, as partner to co-lead new digital transformation and data economy team with partners Janine Anthony Bowen and Chad Rutkowski ... George Mason University Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property appoints Joshua Kresh, ex-DLA Piper, deputy director ... Colorado Statewide Internet Portal Authority names Chief Operating Officer Catherine Kunst acting executive director effective June 1; Jack Arrowsmith retiring ... Crisis Text Line taps Ben Kolin, ex-Uber, as chief technology officer.
House Judiciary Antitrust Chairman David Cicilline, D-R.I., names Megan Garcia, from New America, deputy chief of staff and legislative director ... BakerHostetler hires Jeewon Kim Serrato, ex-Norton Rose, as partner to co-lead new digital transformation and data economy team with partners Janine Anthony Bowen and Chad Rutkowski ... George Mason University Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property appoints Joshua Kresh, ex-DLA Piper, deputy director ... Colorado Statewide Internet Portal Authority names Chief Operating Officer Catherine Kunst acting executive director effective June 1; Jack Arrowsmith retiring ... Crisis Text Line taps Ben Kolin, ex-Uber, as chief technology officer.
With COVID-19 disproportionately affecting minority and disadvantaged communities, the FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment's working groups adjusted their focus to grapple with the pandemic, according to work plans presented Tuesday at the group’s teleconferenced first meeting under its new charter. Along with reacting to the virus, the committee’s working groups laid out plans for workshops and events aimed at increasing diversity among communications companies. “When the country catches a cold, the most vulnerable catch the flu,” said Brookings Institution Fellow Nicol Turner-Lee and Diversity in Tech WG chair.
The FCC Consumer Advisory Committee approved recommendations to the agency by its Truth-in-Billing (TIB) Working Group. CAC was also warned that scam robocalls are evolving under COVID-19 and consumers need to be vigilant. Members met virtually Monday.