The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a $2.39 million forfeiture order against Fabrice Polynice, also known as DJ Paz, for the illegal operation of an unlicensed FM radio station in North Miami, Florida.

According to the FCC’s order, Polynice operated the pirate radio station “Radio Touche Douce” on 90.1 MHz from February 5 to March 5, 2023 — marking at least 22 days of unlawful broadcasts. The Commission found that Polynice willfully and knowingly engaged in pirate radio activity, despite a decade-long history of prior violations, enforcement actions, and even a U.S. Marshals’ seizure of his equipment.

“Operating an unauthorized, or pirate, radio station is illegal under the Communications Act and undermines our mission to manage the radio spectrum,” the FCC stated. “Such illegal operations pose a danger to the public because they interfere with licensed stations that deliver critical information, including Emergency Alert System messages.”

The Commission noted that Polynice did not dispute the facts but attempted to argue for a reduced penalty based on his inability to pay. However, citing the egregious and repeated nature of his violations, the FCC declined to reduce the fine. His past offenses include previous forfeiture orders in 2013 and 2018, which remain unpaid.

This forfeiture is issued under the PIRATE Act, which increased financial penalties for unauthorized broadcasts. The FCC initially calculated a penalty of over $2.6 million but capped the fine at $2,391,097 in accordance with statutory limits at the time.

Polynice has 30 days from the release of the order to pay the forfeiture or face further enforcement action by the U.S. Department of Justice.