FCC proposes $5.1M fine against conservative activists Jacob Wohl and John Burkman for making 1,141 unlawful robocalls that made false claims about mail voting; this is the largest robocall fine ever proposed by the FCC, the agency says.
Jack Burkman, left, a lawyer and Republican political operative, and Jacob Wohl, an internet political activist and supporter of then-President Donald Trump, speak during a news conference to address their allegations against special counsel Robert Mueller in Arlington, Va., on Nov. 1, 2018.The Federal Communications Commission proposed a $5.1 million fine against conservative activists Jacob Wohl and John Burkman and J.M.
“Did you know that if you vote by mail, your personal information will be part of a public database that will be used by police departments to track down old warrants and be used by credit card companies to collect outstanding debts?” the call said, before also erroneously claiming the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might use such data to enforce mandatory vaccinations.
Thousands of voters received such calls in New York, Ohio and Michigan, according to state prosecutors, who say it was an attempt to suppress Black voters. The activists face criminal charges for their role in spreading the disinformation, and New York Attorney General Letitia James is attempting toMy office has received a recording of a robocall targeting Detroit voters using racially-charged stereotypes and false information to deter voting by mail.