Media Contact: 
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
tina.pelkey@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

INSPECTOR GENERAL ONCE AGAIN FINDS NO EVIDENCE OF IMPROPRIETY DURING FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF SINCLAIR-TRIBUNE MERGER PROCESS

WASHINGTON, December 3, 2018—The Federal Communications Commission released the following statement regarding news that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has finished its follow-up investigation regarding the proposed Sinclair-Tribune merger and once again found no evidence that Chairman Pai acted improperly.  The report is available here. 

“We are pleased that the Office of Inspector General has confirmed for a second time that there were no improper actions taken during the Sinclair-Tribune review process and that the investigation has concluded,” said Brian Hart, Director of the FCC’s Office of Media Relations. 

The Office of the Inspector General concluded, “Our investigation did not reveal evidence that Chairman Pai acted improperly with respect to the request from Congress that he disclose information related to his interactions with the White House regarding the proposed merger, nor did he make material omissions at the July 25, 2018, House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing or at any other time related to the proposed Sinclair-Tribune merger.”  

This is the second time that the Office of Inspector General has rejected spurious allegations against Chairman Pai regarding the proposed merger.  Earlier this year, the OIG released a report that found “no evidence, nor even the suggestion, of impropriety, unscrupulous behavior, or favoritism” from Chairman Pai towards Sinclair or a lack of impartiality related to the proposed merger.

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).