FCC took pricey gifts from Paramount as the company needed approval for deals
Summary
Two Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commissioners accepted expensive tickets from Paramount while the company sought approval for major business deals. Ethics experts say this creates a conflict of interest because the FCC regulates the company.Key Facts
- Paramount gave tickets worth over $12,000 to FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty for a gala hosted by President Donald Trump.
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr and his wife attended the same gala from a private skybox with tickets valued at $125,000 each.
- Both commissioners had recently voted to approve Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
- Paramount was also trying to complete a large $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, requiring FCC approval.
- Federal ethics rules forbid government employees from accepting gifts from companies they regulate.
- Experts said accepting these tickets damages the fairness and trust in the FCC’s decisions.
- Carr has accepted costly tickets from CBS or Paramount several times since 2017, totaling over $63,000.
- The gala tickets were connected to a fundraising event that favored wealthy donors.
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