Senators Demand FCC Inspector General Investigate FCC's Failure to Address Millions of Anti-Net Neutrality Comments

Following reports that the New York State Attorney General has issued subpoenas in its investigation into millions of fraudulent comments submitted to the Federal Communications Commission, Sens Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Ed Markey (D-MA), wrote the FCC Inspector General to urge him to open an investigation into the agency’s handling of potential fraud in the net neutrality rule-making process. The NY Attorney General has identified at least 14 groups of interest to the investigation including trade groups and political firms that have a previous track record of concerning practices in their effort to thwart net neutrality. The FCC has repeatedly shown a disinterest in investigating these fraudulent comments, potentially undermining the public trust and casting a continued shadow over the agency’s rule-making process.

“Despite concerns that the rule-making process was subverted by fraudulent comments and manipulated by special interests, including possible Russian interference, the FCC has seemingly ignored the issue, failed to provide answers to Congress, and dismissed public concerns,” wrote the Sens.  “In order to resolve lingering questions, we ask that your office investigate the FCC’s handling of the fraudulent comments and look into its cooperation with other investigations into the matter.”