Enforcement Bureau Disrespectful, Says ALJ
The FCC Enforcement Bureau disrespected Administrative Law Judge Richard Sippel and abandoned its responsibility to the public interest by asking for an extension to file comments in a proceeding and then deciding not to do so, said Sippel in an…
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order filed Wednesday in docket 12-122, Game Show Network's carriage complaint against Cablevision. Sippel, at the bureau's request, granted the bureau seven additional days to file comments on a motion for summary decision filed by Cablevision. But Tuesday the bureau filed a submission saying it had carefully reviewed the filings in the case, and it would file no additional comments because the GSN and Cablevision filings “fully and fairly state the issues pending before the Presiding Judge.” This “pointless submission” didn't “enlighten” anyone involved in the case, Sippel said, and insulted his willingness to grant extensions. Sippel ordered the Enforcement Bureau to file comments on whether summary decision is appropriate by noon May 27. The FCC didn't comment.