Republican FCC Commissioner Nate Simington dissented against fines totaling $200,000 issued to three unlicensed Boston-area radio operators during the FCC’s final 2024 Open Meeting. While not condoning pirate broadcasting, Simington questioned the FCC’s authority to impose penalties under the PIRATE Act, citing the Supreme Court’s SEC v. Jarkesy ruling, which limits agency enforcement powers without explicit congressional authorization. The fines targeted Renold David (“Lotnivo Radio”), João Vieira (“Brockton FM”), and Djovany Pierre and Mario Turner for an unnamed station, all of whom failed to respond to prior Notices of Apparent Liability. Outgoing FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel defended the enforcement, emphasizing the FCC’s duty to maintain interference-free public airwaves. Despite Simington’s objections, the practice is expected to persist under Republican Chairman-designate Brendan Carr. Additionally, the meeting approved rule updates, including simplifying AM regulations, digitizing processes, and easing public objections to Media Bureau applications.