AUBURN, Ala. (AP) – The Federal Communications Commission will not revoke radio broadcast licenses held by former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, after ruling that Hubbard’s convictions on ethics charges did not automatically disqualify him.
Administrative Law Judge Jane Hinckley Halprin ruled this month that the enforcement bureau had not proven that Hubbard’s felony convictions render him, and by extension Auburn Network, unqualified to hold the licenses.
“The crimes of which Mr. Hubbard is guilty are not trivial; indeed, he is currently incarcerated as a result,” Halprin wrote, but noted that policies are clear, “that not every felony is disqualifying.”
“In short, a careful review of the criminal record and all the evidence submitted fails to persuade the Presiding Judge that Mr. Hubbard does not possess the character to remain a Commission licensee.”
Hubbard established the Auburn Network, Inc. in 1994 and holds the licenses for “News Talk 1400” WANI in Opelika and “Wings 94.3” WGZZ in Waverly along with three FM translator stations that rebroadcast the signals. According to commission filings, after his conviction, Hubbard agreed to sell the stations to Frank Lee Perryman for $775,000. But a decision on the license transfer request was held in abeyance while the revocation was decided.