On October 1, Chris DiPaola’s DiPonti Communications moved the Classic Rock programming of “I95.1” WWRI-LP Coventry RI to its pending acquisition 1450 WPVD/105.5 W288EE West Warwick. In the report we noted that DiPaola lists himself as both owner and President/General Manager of WWRI-LP on its website and his personal social media and that he is not listed on either the current or the new board awaiting FCC approval for transfer of control since March 2019.

We weren’t the only ones to notice that DiPaola was operating both commercial Variety 1230 WBLQ/103.1 W276DF Westerly and WWRI-LP as the FCC ended a years long investigation into DiPaola by entering into a settlement on Tuesday to resolve multiple violations. DiPaola will pay a $15,000 fine that was lowered due to financial hardships.

The investigation found that WWRI-LP violated four rules. They received complaints that in May 2016, October 2016, October 2018 and January 2020 WWRI-LP aired full commercial advertisements in violation of the underwriting laws. Those complaints also rose concerns about the cross-ownership rule violations with WBLQ. Following letters of inquiry to DiPaola, they confirmed the station aired at least 17 commercials over a sixteen month period. It also admitted that DiPaola was on the board of the station while serving as sole proprietor of WBLQ and that the station’s board underwent a change in control in March 2016, only 14 months after its initial license to cover against the FCC’s three year requirement. The transfer of control was late filed to the FCC in March 2019 and remains pending.

The consent decree was lowered to a $15,000 fine after Marconi submitted financial documentation to support their inability to pay more. WWRI-LP has to enter a compliance plan that includes designating a compliance officer to oversee all proposed license assignments, understanding of all employees of underwriting laws and procedures, training and reporting non-compliance for the next five years.