ALJ Gives Marion Educational Exchange Extension to Hire Lawyer
Administrative Law Judge Jane Halprin has granted a 20-day extension to low-power broadcaster Marion Educational Exchange to hire an attorney after the broadcaster failed to respond to multiple communications from the FCC, said an order in MEE’s license hearing proceeding…
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Friday. "The Presiding Judge would be justified in dismissing this proceeding due to MEE’s failure to prosecute its application,” the order said. “Given the seriousness of that result, however, the Presiding Judge is willing to provide MEE more time to engage new counsel.” MEE had argued that it hadn’t received communications related to the case from the Media Bureau and its first attorney -- who has since withdrawn -- but Halprin expressed skepticism about those claims. “Perhaps Mr. Craft did not read the emails, but the Presiding Judge does not find it credible that he did not receive them,” the letter said, referring to Shawn Craft, MEE's board president. MEE has said it can’t afford a lawyer, but Halprin said MEE’s conduct has given her pause about allowing the proceeding to continue without the broadcaster having representation. “It is not clear that MEE has explored whether an attorney might take the case pro bono considering the company’s nonprofit status.”