FCC Issued Notices to Illegal Radio Broadcasters

The FCC notified property owners in New York and Ohio of alleged illegal radio operations on their premises.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Property Crime

Isometric editorial illustration of a metal radio antenna mounted on a brick rooftop, representing federal regulatory enforcement. — Federal regulators issued notices to property owners in New York and Ohio regarding unauthorized radio signals detected on their premises this week. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should property owners be held liable for illegal activities conducted by tenants on their premises?

Federal regulators have issued notices of illegal radio broadcasting to property owners in New York City and Cleveland. The enforcement actions target unauthorized signals detected across multiple frequencies.

Why it matters

The FCC issues these notices to deter unauthorized radio broadcasting by creating significant financial and legal risks for property owners. This enforcement strategy aims to curb pirate radio operations by holding those who host the equipment accountable.

The FCC has identified four properties hosting illegal signals, including frequencies of 98.1 MHz, 97.3 MHz, 99.9 MHz, and 91.7 MHz. Owners could face enforcement fines reaching up to $2.5 million for pirate radio activities.

The players

Federal Communications Commission

This independent agency of the United States government regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.

Corine Saunders

This individual received a notice regarding an illegal broadcast signal operating from Mount Vernon, New York.

KTJ NY Mgt. LLC

This property management entity was identified by federal regulators for an illegal signal operating in the Bronx.

1745 Realty NY LLC

This company received an FCC notice for an illegal radio signal detected at a property location in Brooklyn.

A & O Trucking LLC

This business entity was issued a federal notice regarding an illegal broadcast signal originating from Cleveland, Ohio.

The details

The FCC detects illegal signals and notifies property owners of their potential liability under authorities granted by Congress. Property owners in Mount Vernon, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Cleveland have been formally alerted to the unauthorized use of their sites.

2020: The FCC began sending letters to property owners under new congressional authority.
2025: The commission issued 28 such letters to property owners.
May 2026: A signal was detected at 99.9 MHz in Brooklyn.
June 2026: Signals were detected at 98.1 MHz and 97.3 MHz.
August 2026: A signal was detected at 91.7 MHz in Cleveland.

Legal Context

These actions follow the 2020 FCC pirate radio enforcement authority, which empowered the commission to target property owners rather than just individual broadcasters. This shift in strategy reflects a broader trend of leveraging property accountability to address long-standing illegal signal issues.

Local residents may notice increased regulatory scrutiny of commercial and private properties suspected of housing antenna equipment. These enforcement actions serve to protect the airwaves from interference that could affect legal broadcast and emergency communication services.

The takeaway

Property owners should remain vigilant regarding the activities occurring on their sites to avoid significant federal regulatory fines. Holding landlords responsible for equipment hosted on their land is a core component of modern FCC efforts to silence pirate radio signals.