FCC Inspector General Report on Sinclair-Tribune Merger Interactions Disclosure

In response to a request from Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Commerce Committee, the Federal Communications Commission Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an investigation into the conduct of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai regarding his interactions with the White House concerning the Sinclair-Tribune merger. The letter further requested FCC OIG to review the phone records and emails of FCC staff to determine whether others has such interactions. Our investigation did not reveal evidence that Chairman Pai acted improperly with respect to the request from Congress that he disclose information related to his interactions with the White House regarding the proposed merger, nor did he make material omissions at the July 25, 2018, House Commerce Committee hearing or at any other time related to the proposed Sinclair-Tribune merger. Further, our investigation did not reveal evidence of any other White House communications with FCC staff.