FCC insiders are concerned that the Justice Department suddenly pushed to settle Democratic megadonor Charlie Ergen’s multibillion-dollar fraud lawsuit against Dish Network and BlackRock just before he was fired. has been expressed.
Last year, Elon Musk tweeted Dish Network CEO and major political donor Charlie Ergen is allegedly trying to “steal” wireless internet through lobbying efforts.he used to accused Mr. Ergen making “sneaky moves” at the FCC. Mr. Musk had criticized Mr. Ergen’s failed lobbying and legal efforts to get the government to punish SpaceX, which competes for radio frequency.
Protest at BlackRock headquarters (Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket, Getty Images)
A senior FCC official told Breitbart News that in order to protect Mr. Ergen and other BlackRock executives, Ergen was using a “suspicious reversal by the Department of Justice” to prevent them from testifying about alleged fraud in the wireless auction. He said he is sounding the alarm on those who call him.
Under FCC regulations, the FCC grants discounted “bidding credits” to small businesses called “designated entities” in radio frequency auctions. In 2015, Dish Networks (a small company whose valuation at the time was over his $25 billion) backing BlackRock-backed companies Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless advanced to the auction by describing themselves as “very small companies.” These credits were worth $3.3 billion and drove legitimate small businesses out of the auction.
Northstar and SNR disclosed that they received loans from Dish, but maintained that they were acting independently. After the FCC further reviewed the arrangement, then-Chairman Ajit Pai Decided Dish and its “shell bidders want this spectrum at a discount, taxpayer-funded price,” and Dish has “effective control” over the company and denied credits.
The FCC and Justice Department also upheld a False Claims Act filing in 2015 by Vermontel, a small company that was pushed out by Dish. The lawsuit alleges the entire bidding process was fraudulent. Qui tam actions allow certain private parties to litigate fraud cases on behalf of the U.S. government.
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has repeatedly ruled against attempts to dismiss the case, most recently last November.court found It has been properly alleged that Northstar and SNR were “shell companies” set up by DISH and had “undisclosed agreements to act on DISH’s behalf or transfer spectrum rights to DISH.” However, this “was of little value unless an agreement was reached in advance.” Ultimately, DISH would control the licenses won at auction. ”
After nearly nine years of litigation, the case, which includes the firing of Dish CEO Charlie Ergen, was scheduled for a hearing on February 15th. But just before Mr. Ergen and Mr. Blacklock were fired, the Justice Department directed Vermontel to either settle or not. The department will drop the case. In a letter to the FCC and Justice Department leadership obtained by Breitbart News, the company argued that this would be an “unethical settlement with no recovery for the government.” “The Justice Department is more interested in cutting sweet deals with large political constituencies than in protecting the government’s interests,” the letter claims.
Mr. Ergen is a “major donor to the Democratic Party” and is “accused on both sides of using his position at the top of DISH to access campaign contributions from other executives.” according to The Hill. In 2015, Breitbart News reported that Dish Network had decided to eliminate Fox News, resulting in a significant loss of subscribers. Since then, Dish brought Fox back to the network. Since 2008, Mr. Ergen, his wife, and Mr. Disch’s PAC have collectively donated more than $5.4 million to Democrats. BlackRock supports Democrats who support an ESG agenda and are trying to thwart Donald Trump in this election.
A senior FCC official told Breitbart: “The Department of Justice has been supporting this case for several years. Why would they want to drop the case right after winning a big victory in court?” “There is no good reason to want this case resolved other than to help Dish and prevent depositions from Ergen and BlackRock,” he added. If the FCC is defrauded, we want to find out and compensate taxpayers. If there was no wrongdoing, you could prove it in court. ”
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News, covering free speech and online censorship issues.
