FCC Continues South Carolina Exam Audit

An FCC investigation continues into possible irregularities in some South Carolina exam sessions last summer. On January 13, the Commission wrote Volunteer Examiner William J. Browning, AB4BB (ex-AF4PJ), of Pendleton, SC. The letter was part of a continuing aduit of a July 14, 1999, W5YI-VEC Amateur Radio examination session in Clemson. Browning was listed as the manager of the session. The FCC said the Manifest of Applicants Browning submitted was signed by Eugene D. Watring, AF4DB, and Maurice D. "Dale" martin, KT4NY. Watring and Martin have told the FCC that they were not at the session and did not sign the manifest. Seven FCC Forms 610 Browning submitted also bore Watring's and Martin's signatures, but both have told the FCC they did not sign them. In its letter to Browning, the FCC enclosed copies of the Manifest and Forms 610 and asked him to explain the apparent discrepancies "in detail" within 20 days. FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth also said the FCC was aware of allegations that Browning had "physically threatened one or more of the Volunteer Examiners" listed on the July 14 session documents. Hollingsworth warned Browning that if the allegations are true, the information would be turned over to law enforcement authorities. The FCC also wrote Watring on January 13 regarding a second July 14 VE session in Clemson that Watring managed. The FCC said the Manifest of Applicants Watring submitted was signed by Grady P. Robinson, AK4N, and Mikel T. Blackwell, N4OPD. The FCC said Robinson's and Blackwell's signatures also appear on four Forms 610 Watring submitted. Robinson has told the FCC he was not at the session and didn't sign any documents relating to it. The FCC has not yet heard from Blackwell. The FCC enclosed copies of the Manifest and Forms 610 and asked Watring to explain the apparent discrepancies "in detail" within 20 days. The W5YI-VEC has been cooperating with the FCC in its investigation in SC.

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