FCC to schedule hearing for Meyersdale station owner
October 22, 2021Roger Wahl, the embattled owner of Meyersdale-based WQZS (QZ 93.3), who pleaded guilty to sex-related charges last year, faces a hearing on his future as the station’s owner.
Wahl, who put the 3,000 watt classic hits FM station on the air in September 1992, is facing the loss of his right to hold the station’s license, now that’s he’s a convicted felon.
The FCC Tuesday issued a Hearing Designation Order, Order to Show Cause, and Notice of Opportunity for Hearing. The eight-page order gives Wahl 20 days from the date of its mailing to submit a written appearance stating his intent to appear at the hearing and present evidence. If Wahl fails to respond, the FCC will deem Wahl to have waived his right to any hearing and will likely issue a ruling.
FCC rules prohibit anyone convicted of a felony from holding a radio station license.
Wahl, 71, had attempted to transfer the station’s license in March of last year in a $10 token transaction to his daughter, Wendy Sipple. The FCC approved the transfer less than three months later, but then retrenched, returning the application’s status to ‘pending.’
Wahl’s Washington-based FCC attorney is listed as Lauren Lynch Flick of Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman, LLP.
Story by Ken Hawk who has followed this story for PBRTV.com
In regards to WQZS Radio station, if by chance it is transferred to Roger Wahl’s daughter, then it means nothing as Mr. Wahl will still be running the station just like he always has. If he is a convicted felon then he shouldn’t be allowed to continue to run the station and we all know he will, it will just be a cover up and I hope the FCC realizes that. I know this story, I know what actually happened, and the man is sick. He shouldn’t be allowed to continue and his daughter should not be allowed to run the station either. The man got away with everything, everyone knows it. Hope the FCC is smart enough to realize it and they insist on selling the license to someone else.