FCC FINES FIRM $150,000

The Federal Communications Commission has fined a Cape Girardeau-based communications company for unauthorized construction and operations.

The FCC ordered Data Investments Inc. to pay the fine for the unauthorized operation of facilities of station KUC843 and station KWU516 in the Public Land Mobile Service at Bainbridge and Cape Girardeau.

The commission denied Data's petition for reconsideration requestion remission or reduction of the forfeiture filed by owners Timothy J. and Marilyn K. Singleton.

Timothy Singleton said he had not been notified of any decisions made by the FCC, and had no comment.

Data is a licensee of four paging stations in the Cape Girardeau area. The company does business as Star Communications, which the Singletons use to manage PLMS operations.

The FCC found that on July 31, 1989, Data entered into an agreement with Withers Communications Co. owned by Ruth H. Withers, to operate and manage two of its paging stations, KUC643 and KWU516.

When the licenses of the stations expired on Aug. 4, 1989, Withers filed applications for reinstatement. After a petition to deny was filed against the applications, Singleton suspended the management agreement with Withers.

Rosemary Kimball, a spokesman for the FCC, said Withers then reported to the commission that Singleton had apparently -- without her knowledge -- relocated the two paging stations.

After an inquiry by the FCC, Singleton acknowledged that he moved and operated the base and control facilities without obtaining authorization, said the FCC.

"That is a bad thing to do," said Kimball. "Singleton would not necessarily lose his license -- a fine is less severe than a suspension or revocation of a license -- but it's still a serious offense."

In denying the petition for reconsideration, the commission said there were no mitigating circumstances warranting remission or reduction of the fine and that the amount of the fine was appropriate.