Status Conference held for WQZS

By Ken Hawk
PBRTV Media Correspondent

A judge set forth guidelines during a status conference on the fate of an embattled classic hits radio station in southern Somerset County.

Administrative Law Judge Jane Hinckley Halprin wrote in her order issued today from the conference held this past Tuesday for Meyersdale-based WQZS (FM 93.3).  The order set a deadline for the completion of discovery for September 8, with the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau’s Affirmative Case due October 10.  

As for WQZS owner Roger Wahl, who appeared as his own attorney at the hearing, he has been given a due date of November 9 to respond, with the Enforcement Bureau’s Reply Case due by November 30.

Halprin wrote in her order that either party may file a motion to request an oral hearing after submission of the pleadings, and may do so prior to December 14.

“A party may self-represent or be represented by an attorney,” Halprin wrote, “but may not be represented by another person.”  She further added that “such a party may not unilaterally communicate with the Presiding Judge or her staff.”

Halprin also clarified that all relative submissions must be submitted electronically using the Electronic Comment Filing System, and that submissions improperly served are in peril of being disregarded by the Presiding Judge.  She summarized by saying that failure to adhere to the Commission’s hearing regulations and procedures, including filing deadlines, could lead to dismissal of the proceeding with prejudice.  

Wahl faces the loss of his right to retain the license of WQZS following his guilty plea in a sex-related case for which he was first charged in 2019.  Because he pleaded guilty to a felony, his status falls into question under the FCC’s character rules.  Wahl founded the station in the fall of 1992 and since then has hosted the station’s morning show.  

Wahl’s daughter, Wendy Sipple, tried to intervene on her father’s behalf when the FCC proceedings against her father began, thus prompting a rebuke from Halprin.  Wahl attempted to transfer control of the license to Sipple once learning he was under investigation.  The FCC initially approved the transfer, but then returned it to pending status after the criminal charges against Wahl came to light.