Norma J.Littick, Transferor
Beforethe
FederalCommunicationsCommission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In re Applications of
Norma J.Littick, Transferor,
and HenryC.Littick,Transferee, for Transfer ofControlofSoutheastern Ohio Television System,Licenseeof WHIZ(TV),Zanesville,OH
And
Norma J.Littick, Transferor,
and HenryC.Littick,Transferee, for Transfer ofControl of Southeastern Ohio BroadcastingSystem,Inc., Licenseeof Stations WHIZ(AM), Zanesville, OH; WHIZ-FM, South Zanesville, OH;WZVL(FM), Philo, OH; and WWCD(FM), Baltimore, OH
)
)
)FacilityI.D.No.:61216
)File No.:BTCCDT-20130513AAG
)Acct.No.:201441420007
)FRN:0003753043
)
)
)
)
)FacilityIDNos.:61218, 11126,
)183304, and61230
)File Nos.: BTC-20130513AAH et
)seq.
)Acct.No.:201441410020
)FRN:0006162242
)
)
ORDER
Adopted: May 16, 2014Released: May 16, 2014
Bythe Chief, MediaBureau:
1. In this Order, we adopttheattached ConsentDecreeentered into between(a)theMedia Bureau(the “Bureau”)ofthe FederalCommunicationsCommission (the “Commission”);(b) SoutheasternOhioTelevision System; (c)Southeastern Ohio BroadcastingSystem; (d)Ms. Norma J. Littick;and (e)Mr. HenryC. Littick(collectivelythe“Parties”).The ConsentDecree resolves issues arising froman admittedunauthorizedtransferofcontrolofthe above captionedtelevision andradio stations.
2.TheConsentDecree stipulatesthatthe PartiesviolatedSection 310 ofthe Communications Actof1934,asamended(the “Act”),1andSection 73.3540 ofthe Commission’s Rules,2and provides, amongotherthings, thatthe Partieswillcollectivelymake a Twenty-Two Thousand Dollar($22,000) voluntarycontributiontothe United StatesTreasury.Acopyof theConsentDecreeis attached hereto
and incorporatedbyreference.
3.TheBureau and thePartieshave negotiatedtheterms of the ConsentDecree thatconcludes the above-referencedmatters. Afterreviewingtheterms of the ConsentDecreeand evaluatingthe facts
147U.S.C.§ 310(d).
247 C.F.R.§ 73.3540.
before us, we findthatthepublic interestwould be served byadoptingthe ConsentDecree.Acopyofthe
ConsentDecreeis attachedand incorporatedbyreference.
4.Furthermore, upon examiningthe above-captionedtransferofcontrolapplicationsand basedon theevidencebefore us,weconcludethat themattersreferenced aboveraiseno substantialor materialquestionsoffactas to whetherthePartiespossessthebasic qualifications, includingthoserelated to character,to hold a Commission license.
5.Accordingly,IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Sections4(i),4(j),and 503(b)ofthe Communications Actof1934, asamended,3and Sections 0.111and 0.311 of theCommission’sRules,4 the ConsentDecreeattached tothis OrderIS ADOPTED.
6.IT ISFURTHERORDEREDthatacopyofthis Orderand ConsentDecreeshallbe sent byFirstClass mailand Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested,tocounsel forSoutheasternOhio Television System, Southeastern Ohio BroadcastingSystem,Inc.,Ms. Norma J. LittickandMr. HenryC. Littick:J. Richard Carr, Esq., 5528TrentStreet, ChevyChase, MD20815.
FEDERALCOMMUNICATIONSCOMMISSION
WilliamT.Lake
Chief,MediaBureau
347U.S.C.§§154(i),154(j),503(b).
447 C.F.R.§§0.111,0.311.
Beforethe
FederalCommunicationsCommission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In re Applications of
Norma J.Littick, Transferor,
and HenryC.Littick,Transferee, for Transfer ofControl of Southeastern Ohio Television System,Licenseeof StationWHIZ(TV), Zanesville, OH
And
NormaJ.Littick, Transferor,
and HenryC.Littick,Transferee, for Transfer ofControl of Southeastern Ohio BroadcastingSystem,Inc., Licenseeof Stations WHIZ(AM), Zanesville, OH; WHIZ-FM, South Zanesville, OH;WZVL(FM), Philo, OH; and WWCD(FM), Baltimore, OH
)
)
)
)
)
)FacilityI.D.No.:61216
)FileNo.:BTCCDT-20130513AAG
)Acct.No.:201441420007
)FRN:0003753043
)
)
)
)FacilityIDNos.:61218,11126,
)183304,and61230
)FileNos.:BTC-20130513AAH et
)seq.
)Acct.No.:201441410020
)FRN:0006162242
)
)
CONSENT DECREE
I.INTRODUCTION
1.This ConsentDecreeisenteredinto by:(a)theMediaBureauofthe Federal Communications Commission;(b)Southeastern OhioTelevision System, thelicenseeof Station WHIZ(TV),Zanesville, Ohio;(c)Southeastern Ohio BroadcastingSystem,Inc., the licenseeof StationsWHIZ(AM), Zanesville, OH;WHIZ-FM, South Zanesville, OH;WZVL(FM), Philo, OH;and WWCD(FM), Baltimore, OH; (d)Ms. Norma J.Littick, the proposed transferorof control; and (e) and Mr. HenryC.Littickthe proposed transferee.
II.DEFINITIONS
2.For the purposesof this Consent Decree,thefollowingdefinitions shallapply:
a)“Act”meanstheCommunicationsActof1934,asamended,47U.S.C.§151et seq.
b)“AdoptingOrder”meanstheOrderoftheBureauadoptingthetermsofthis
ConsentDecreewithoutchange, addition, deletion, ormodification.
c)“Applications” means the FCC Form 315 long form transfer of control applications filed byMs.Norma J.LittickandMr.HenryC. Littick, to transferof
controlofownershipinterestsintheabovecaptionedlicenses,eachofwhichis
an “Application.”
d)“Bureau”meanstheMediaBureauoftheFederalCommunications
Commission.
e)“Commission”and“FCC”meantheFederalCommunicationsCommissionand
allofits bureaus andoffices.
f)“Communications Laws” means, collectively, the Act, the Rules, and the publishedandpromulgated ordersanddecisionsofthe Commissiontowhich the Partiesaresubjectby virtueoftheirbeing Commissionlicensees,including but notlimitedto47 C.F.R. 73.3540.
g)“Compliance Plan”means the complianceplan provided inthe Appendix hereto. h) “EffectiveDate”meansthedateonwhichtheBureaureleasestheAdopting
Order.
i)“Investigation”meansthe Bureau’sinvestigationofinformationcontainedinthe
Applications.
j)“Parties”means,(a)SOBS;(b)SOTS;(c)Ms.NormaJ.Littick,theproposed transferorofcontrol;and(d)andMr.Henry C.Littick,theproposedtransferee, each ofwhich is a“Party.”
k)“SOBS” means Southeastern Ohio Broadcasting System, Inc., which is the licenseeofStationsWHIZ(AM),Zanesville,OH;WHIZ-FM,South Zanesville, OH;WZVL(FM),Philo, OH;andWWCD(FM),Baltimore,OH,collectively “Radio Stations.”
l)“SOTS”meansSoutheasternOhioTelevisionSystem,whichisthelicenseeof
StationWHIZ(TV), Zanesville, OH, the “Television Station.”
m)“Rules”meanstheCommission’sregulationsfoundinTitle47oftheCodeof
FederalRegulations.
III.BACKGROUND
3. OnMay13,2013,thePartiesfiledfiveApplicationsrequestingCommissionconsentto transfercontrolforthe above captionedradio and television stations fromMs. NormaJ. Littickto herson, Mr.HenryC.Littick. TheApplicationsproposethatthetransferofcontrolwouldoccurbytransferring interestinSOTSthroughvariousinterveningentities. Undertheproposedtransferofcontrol,Ms. Littick’sownershipinterestinSOTS,throughvariousinterveningentities,wouldgofrom88.25%to
33.66%.1 Asaresult,Mr.Littick’sownershipinterestinSOTSwouldgofromanon-attributable2%
1 SOTSisheldpursuanttoageneralpartnershipconsistingoffourentities: NJLCompany,Inc.(“NJL”)(66%); SOBS(20%);EGBCompanyInc.(“EGB”)(11%):andJCGCompany,Inc.(“JCG”)(3%). Ms.Littickcurrently holds a100% ownershipin NJL;a70%interestinSOBS;anda75%interestinEGB. Mr.Littickcurrentlyholdsa non-attributable2%interestinSOTSthroughhis10%interestinSOBS.
ownership interest toa56.59%controlling interest.2 TheApplicationsalsopropose transferringMs. Littick’sentire70%ownershipinterestsinSOBStoMr.Littick. Accordingly,Mr.Littick’sownership interestinSOBSwouldincreasefrom10%to80%. AllothershareholderownershipinterestsinSOTS and SOBS wouldremainthe same.
4. Inthecourseofprocessing theApplicationsitwasdiscoveredthatthetransferofcontrol wasprematurelyconsummatedpriorto the filingofalong form transferofcontrolapplicationand subsequentCommissionapproval. AccordingtotheParties,theownershipchangeswereeffectuatedin December2012,fivemonthsprior to the filing of theApplications. ThePartiescontendthatthis unauthorizedtransferoccurred as the resultofa“miscommunication [between Mr.Littick,localcounsel andcommunicationscounsel]concerning thestatusof thechangesand thattheownershipchangesshould nothaveproceededuntilpriorCommissionapprovalhadbeengranted.” Theunauthorizedtransferof controlwasnotdiscovereduntilOctober25,2013,fivemonthsaftertheApplicationswerefiled. Upon discovering this“mistake” thePartiespromptly contactedVideoDivision andAudioDivisionstaffand amendedtheApplicationstonote thattheownership changehad occurredprematurely andprovide an explanationasto howthisoccurred.
5. Section310(d)oftheActstates,inrelevantpart:“Noconstructionpermitorstation license,orany rightsthereunder,shallbetransferred,assigned,ordisposedofin anymanner,voluntarily orinvoluntarily,directly orindirectly,orby transferofcontrolofany corporationholding suchpermitor license,to anypersonexceptupon application totheCommissionanduponfinding by theCommission thatthepublicinterest,convenience,andnecessitywillbeservedthereby.”Section73.3540(a)ofthe Rulessimilarlystatesthat“[p]riorconsentoftheFCCmustbeobtainedforavoluntaryassignmentor transferofcontrol.”3 Inaddition,Section73.3540(b)requiresalicenseetofileanapplicationwiththe FCC“45dayspriortothecontemplatedeffectivedateofthe…transferofcontrol.”4 ThePartiescontend thattheir failure to filewiththe commission ina timely mannerand unauthorizedtransferofcontrolwas theresultof“ahonestmistaken on thepartofHenryLittickasto whatwasrequired bythe Commission.”
6. BecauseoftheissuesidentifiedintheBureau’sinvestigation,thePartieshaveagreedto enter into thisConsentDecree to whichSOTS,SOBS, NormaJ.Littick,Henry C. Littick,andtheBureau intendtobe legally bound. ThePartieshavealsocommittedtoimplementand adhere to the Compliance Plan, whichisincorporatedbyreference intothis ConsentDecree.
III. TERMSOFAGREEMENT
7. AdoptingOrder. ThePartiesagreethattheprovisionsofthisConsentDecreeshallbe subjecttofinalapprovalby theBureauby incorporationofsuchprovisionsby referenceintheAdopting Order.
8. Jurisdiction. ThePartiesagreethattheBureauhasjurisdictionoveritandthematters containedinthisConsentDecreeandthattheBureauhastheauthoritytoenterintoandadoptthis ConsentDecree.
2 FollowingapprovalofthetransferofcontrolMr.Littickwouldholda49%ownershipinterestinNJL;80%
interestinSOBS;and75%interestinEGB.Ms. Littick willretaina 51%interestinNJL.
347 C.F.R.§ 73.3540(a).
447 C.F.R.§ 733540(b).
9. EffectiveDate;Violations. ThePartiesagreethatthisConsentDecreeshallbecome effectiveontheEffectiveDateasdefinedherein. AsoftheEffectiveDate,theAdopting Orderand this ConsentDecreeshallhavethe same forceand effectasanyotherorderofthe Commission. Any violation oftheAdopting OrderorofthetermsofthisConsentDecreeshallconstitute aseparateviolationofa Commissionorder,entitling theCommission to exerciseanyrightsand remediesattendant to the enforcementofa Commission order.
10. TerminationofInvestigation. Inexpressrelianceonthecovenantsandrepresentations in this Consent Decree and to avoidfurther expenditure of public resources, the Bureauagreesto terminatetheInvestigation. Inconsideration fortheterminationoftheInvestigation,thePartiesagreeto thetermsandconditionscontainedherein. TheBureaufurtheragreesthatin theabsenceofnewmaterial evidence, theBureauwillnotuse the factsdeveloped in thisInvestigation throughtheEffectiveDate,or theexistenceof thisConsentDecree,to instituteon itsownmotionany newproceeding,formalor informal,ortakeanyactiononitsownmotionagainstthePartiesconcerningthemattersthatwerethe subjectoftheInvestigation. TheBureaushallgranttheApplicationsaftertheEffectiveDate,provided thatthe following conditionshavebeenmet:(1)the voluntary contribution referencedinParagraph13 belowhasbeen fully and timely satisfied;and(2) there areno issues thatwouldpreclude grantof the Applications. IntheeventthatthereareissuesthatwouldprecludethegrantofanyApplication,itwill remain pending.
11. Subsequent Investigations. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall prevent the Commissionoritsdelegatedauthority from adjudicatingcomplaintsorotheradjudicatorypleadingsfiled againstthe Partiesor its affiliates for alleged violations of the Act or the Commission’s rules or for any othertypeofallegedmisconduct,regardlessofwhensuchmisconducttookplace. TheCommission’s adjudicationofany suchcomplaintswillbebasedsolely ontherecorddevelopedinthatproceeding. Exceptas expressly provided in thisConsentDecree, thisConsentDecree shallnotprevent the Commissionfrom investigatingnewevidenceofnoncompliancebythePartieswithCommunications Laws.
12. Admission of Violation. The Parties stipulate that they have admitted in the ApplicationsthattheyviolatedSection310(d)oftheActandSection73.3540oftheRulesbyallowing Mr.Henry C.Littick toassumecontrolofSOTSand SOBSwithoutpriorCommissionauthorizationand notificationofconsummation. TheBureaufindsthatitsInvestigationraisesnosubstantialandmaterial questionsoffactastowhetherthePartiespossessesthebasicqualifications, including thoserelating to character,tocontrolaCommissionlicenseorauthorizationorwhetherSOBSorSOTSpossessesthe basic qualifications tobeaCommission licensee.
13. VoluntaryContribution. ThePartiesagreethattheywillcollectivelymakeavoluntary contributionto theUnited States Treasury intheamountofTwenty-Two ThousandDollars($22,000) within thirty (30) calendar days after the Effective Date. The Parties shall also send electronic notificationofpaymenttoEvanMorrisat ndKimVarnerat nthedatesaidpaymentismade. ApaymentofElevenThousand($11,000)mustbemadebycheckor similarinstrument,wiretransfer, orcreditcard,andmustincludetheNAL/AccountnumbersandFRNs referencedabovefor the TelevisionStation. ApaymentofEleven Thousand ($11,000)mustbemadeby checkorsimilarinstrument, wiretransfer,orcreditcard, and mustincludethe NAL/Accountnumbersand FRNsreferencedabovefortheRadioStations. Regardlessoftheformofpayment,acompletedFCC Form159(RemittanceAdvice)mustbesubmitted.5 WhencompletingtheFCCForm159,enterthe
5AnFCCForm159 anddetailedinstructionsforcompletingtheformmaybeobtainedat
AccountNumberinblocknumber23A(callsign/otherID)andentertheletters“FORF”inblocknumber
24A(paymenttypecode). Belowareadditionalinstructionsyoushouldfollowbasedontheformof paymentyou select:6
Payment by check or money order must be made payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission. Such payments(along with the completed Form159)mustbe mailedtoFederalCommunicationsCommission,P.O.Box979088,St.Louis,MO63197-
9000,orsentviaovernightmailtoU.S.Bank–GovernmentLockbox#979088,SL-MO-C2- GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis,MO 63101.
Payment by wire transfer must be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank TREAS/NYC,andAccountNumber27000001. To completethewiretransferandensure appropriatecreditingofthewiredfunds,acompletedForm159mustbefaxedtoU.S.Bank at(314)418-4232 on the same businessdaythe wiretransferisinitiated.
Paymentbycreditcardmustbemadebyprovidingtherequiredcreditcardinformationon FCCForm159andsigninganddatingtheForm159toauthorizethecreditcardpayment. ThecompletedForm 159mustthenbemailedtoFederalCommunicationsCommission,P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent viaovernight mailto U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St.Louis,MO
63101.
14. Compliance Plan. The Parties represent that they will adopt and implement a complianceplanforthepurposeofpreventingfutureviolationsoftheActandoftheRules. Asummary oftheplanissetforthintheAppendix. ThePartiesagree,totheextentthattheyhavenotalreadydone so,toimplementtheCompliancePlanupongrantofeachApplicationandtokeepsuchCompliancePlan in effectforthree(3)yearsthereafter.
15. Waivers. ThePartieswaiveanyandallrightsitmayhavetoseekadministrativeor judicialreconsideration,review,appealorstay,orto otherwisechallengeorcontestthevalidity ofthis ConsentDecreeandtheAdoptingOrder,providedtheBureauissuesanAdoptingOrderasdefined herein. ThePartiesshallretainthe right tochallenge Commissioninterpretation oftheConsentDecreeor any termscontainedherein. Ifthe Commission (or theUnited StatesonbehalfoftheCommission)brings a judicialactiontoenforce the termsof theAdopting Order, neitherthePartiesnortheCommission shall contestthe validityofthe ConsentDecreeorthe AdoptingOrder,andthe Partiesshallwaive anystatutory righttoatrialdenovo. ThePartiesherebyagreetowaiveanyclaimstheymayhaveundertheEqual Access to JusticeAct,5U.S.C.§504and47C.F.R.§ 1.1501etseq.,relating tothematters addressedin this ConsentDecree.
16. Invalidity. Inthe event thatthis ConsentDecree in itsentirety is renderedinvalidby any courtofcompetent jurisdiction, itshallbecomenullandvoidandmaynotbeusedinanymannerinany legalproceeding.
17.SubsequentRuleorOrder. ThePartiesagreethatifanyprovisionoftheConsent
Decree conflicts with any subsequent rule or order adopted by the Commission (except an order
6ShouldThePartieshavequestionsregardingpaymentprocedures,itshouldcontacttheFinancialOperationsGroup
HelpDeskbyphoneat1-877-480-3201,.
specificallyintendedtorevisethetermsofthisConsentDecreetowhichthePartiesdoesnotexpressly consent)thatprovision willbe supersededbysuch ruleorCommission order.
18. SuccessorsandAssigns. ThePartiesagreethattheprovisionsofthisConsentDecree shallbebindingon itssuccessors, assigns, andtransferees.
19. FinalSettlement. ThePartiesagreeandacknowledgethatthisConsentDecreeshall constitute afinalsettlementbetween the Partieswithrespect totheInvestigation.
20. Modifications. ThisConsentDecreecannotbemodifiedwithouttheadvancewritten consentofboththe Partiesand the Commission.
21. ParagraphHeadings. The headings of the paragraphs in this Consent Decree are insertedforconvenienceonly andarenotintended to affect themeaning orinterpretationofthisConsent Decree.
22. AuthorizedRepresentative. TheindividualssigningthisConsentDecreeonbehalfof eachPartyrepresentsandwarrantsthatheisauthorizedbythePartytoexecutethisConsentDecreeand tobindtheParty totheobligationssetforthherein. TheFCCsignatory representsthathe issigning this ConsentDecreein his officialcapacityand thatheis authorized to execute this ConsentDecree.
23. Counterparts. ThisConsentDecreemaybesignedinanynumberofcounterparts (includingbyfacsimile),eachofwhich,whenexecutedanddelivered,shallbeanoriginal,andallof which counterpartstogethershallconstitute oneandthesame fullyexecutedinstrument.
MEDIA BUREAU
FEDERALCOMMUNICATIONSCOMMISSION
William T. Lake, ChiefDate
SoutheasternOhio Broadcasting System, Inc.
By:Date
SoutheasternOhioTelevision System
By:Date
Norma J. Littick
By: herself
Date
Henry C. Littick
By: himselfDate
APPENDIX
COMPLIANCEPLANFORSTATIONS
WHIZ(TV),WHIZ(AM), WHIZ-FM,WZVL(FM), and WWCD(FM)
In orderto ensure compliancewith the Commission’sRulesandthe Communications Actof1934, as amended, the Partieswillinstitutethefollowingproceduresforeach ofthefollowingtelevision and radio broadcaststations:StationWHIZ(TV),Zanesville, OH;WHIZ(AM)Zanesville,OH;WHIZ-FM, South Zanesville, OH;WZVL(FM), Philo, OH;and WWCD(FM), Baltimore, OH. Unless otherwiseprovided, allterms definedin the ConsentDecreeapplytothis Compliance Plan.
1.TheStation will conduct trainingfor all Station employeesand management on compliancewithFCC Rules applicable tohis or her duties at theStation and Station operations. It will designate its Station Manageras a ComplianceOfficerresponsible for respondingto Station employeequestions and consultingwith FCC Counsel regarding compliancematters. TheStation will conduct refreshertraining forStation employees andmanagement at least once
everytwelve (12) months, andwilltrain anynewStation employeewithinfive (5)business days of commencement of his or her duties at theStation.
2.TheStation shallengageindependentFCC Counsel on an ongoingbasisto provide guidanceto the Parties on FCC complianceissues, to provide regular updatesand notices on developmentsin communications law applicable to the Station and the Stations operations, and to reviewallapplications and reports prior to filingwith theFCC. Inregard to the last matter, the Parties’ recognize andacknowledgethat anyand allinformation provided to the FCC mustcompletelyandcandidlyset forthallrelevant facts and circumstances, regardless ofwhethersuch submission maydiscloseaviolation ofthe Act or Rules.