Sunday, March 16, 2008

Most FCC investigations go nowhere

If the Federal Communications Commission were a cop on the beat, congressional watchdogs contend, it would have a lousy conviction record. They find that most of the government agency's investigations fail to result in any enforcement.

According to a report released on Thursday by the General Accountability Office, only about 9% of the completed investigations resulted in enforcement action, while 83% resulted in no enforcement.

The GAO said it could not determine why the investigations were closed without action because "FCC does not systematically collect these data."

Congressional critics of the agency say the report proves the commission lacks respect for the consumers it is supposed to protect.

"When more than 80% of complaints investigated by the FCC are closed without any meaningful enforcement action, and it isn't possible to determine why no action was taken, then it appears that the FCC has abdicated its duty to protect consumers," said Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich.

LSB: Has this administration EVER missed an opportunity to stand up for industry at the expense of the consumer?

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