[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 177 (Friday, September 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54718-54720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21831]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 14-1230]


Notice of Suspension and Commencement of Proposed Debarment 
Proceedings; Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Enforcement Bureau (the ``Bureau'') gives notice of Marvin 
M. Freeman's suspension from the schools and libraries universal 
service support mechanism (or ``E-Rate Program''). Additionally, the 
Bureau gives notice that debarment proceedings are commencing against 
him. Mr. Freeman, or any person who has an existing contract with or 
intends to contract with him to provide or receive services in matters 
arising out of activities associated with or related to the schools and 
libraries support, may respond by filing an opposition request, 
supported by documentation to Joy Ragsdale, Federal Communications 
Commission, Enforcement Bureau, Investigations and Hearings Division, 
Room 4-C330, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554.

DATES: Opposition requests must be received by 30 days from the receipt 
of the suspension letter or September 12, 2014, whichever comes first. 
The Bureau will decide any opposition request for reversal or 
modification of suspension or debarment within 90 days of its receipt 
of such requests.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau, 
Investigations and Hearings Division, Room 4-C330, 445 12th Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joy Ragsdale, Federal Communications 
Commission, Enforcement Bureau, Investigations and Hearings Division, 
Room 4-C330, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. Joy Ragsdale 
may be contacted by phone at (202) 418-1697 or email at 
[email protected]. If Ms. Ragsdale is unavailable, you may contact 
Ms. Theresa Cavanaugh, Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, by 
telephone at (202) 418-1420 and by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau has suspension and debarment 
authority pursuant to 47 CFR 54.8 and 47 CFR 0.111(a)(14). Suspension 
will help to ensure that the party to be suspended cannot continue to 
benefit from the schools and libraries mechanism pending resolution of 
the debarment process. Attached is the suspension letter, DA 14-1230, 
which was mailed to Mr. Freeman and released on August 26, 2014. The 
complete text of the Notice of suspension and initiation of debarment 
proceedings is available for public inspection and copying during 
regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portal 
II, 445 12th Street SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. In 
addition, the complete text is available on the FCC's Web site at 
http://www.fcc.gov. The text may also be purchased from the 
Commission's duplicating inspection and copying during regular business 
hours at the contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portal II, 445 
12th Street SW., Room CY-B420, Washington, DC 20554, telephone (202) 
488-5300 or (800) 378-3160, facsimile (202) 488-5563, or via email 
http://www.bcpiweb.com.

Federal Communications Commission.
Theresa Z. Cavanaugh,
Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau.

August 26, 2014

DA 14-1230

SENT VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Mr. Marvin Mitch Freeman, 1408 Northhill Street, Selma, CA 93662

Re: Notice of Suspension and Initiation of Debarment Proceeding File 
No. EB-IHD-14-00015659

    Dear Mr. Freeman: The Federal Communications Commission 
(Commission) has received notice of your conviction of conspiracy to 
commit mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C 371, a conviction that 
arose out of activities associated with the federal schools and 
libraries universal service support mechanism (E-Rate program).\1\ 
Consequently, pursuant to 47 CFR 54.8, this letter constitutes 
official notice of your suspension from the E-Rate program.\2\ In 
addition, the Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) hereby notifies you that 
the Bureau will commence debarment proceedings against you.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Any further reference in this letter to ``your conviction'' 
refers to your guilty plea and subsequent sentencing for conspiring 
to defraud the United States in United States v. Freeman, Criminal 
Docket No. 1:06-CR-00013-LJO-2, Plea Agreement at 3 (E.D. Cal. filed 
Oct. 22, 2010) (Plea Agreement).
    \2\ 47 CFR 54.8.
    \3\ Id. 0.111 (delegating to the Enforcement Bureau authority to 
resolve universal service suspension and debarment proceedings). The 
Commission adopted debarment rules for the E-Rate program in 2003. 
See Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, 
Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 
18 FCC Rcd 9202 (2003) (Second Report and Order) (adopting Sec.  
54.521 to suspend and debar parties from the E-Rate program). In 
2007 the Commission extended the debarment rules to apply to all 
federal universal service support mechanisms. Comprehensive Review 
of the Universal Service Fund Management, Administration, and 
Oversight; Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; Schools 
and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism; Rural Health Care 
Support Mechanism; Lifeline and Link Up; Changes to the Board of 
Directors for the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc., 
Report and Order, 22 FCC Rcd 16372, App. C at 16410-12 (2007) 
(Program Management Order) (renumbering Sec.  54.521 of the 
universal service debarment rules as Sec.  54.8 and amending 
paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(5), (c), (d), (e)(2)(i), (e)(3), (e)(4), and 
(g)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Notice of Suspension

    The Commission has established procedures to prevent persons who 
have ``defrauded the government or engaged in similar acts through 
activities associated with or related to the [E-Rate program]'' from

[[Page 54719]]

receiving the benefits associated with that program.\4\ The 
statutory provisions and Commission rules relating to the E-Rate 
program are designed to ensure that all E-Rate funds are used for 
their intended purpose.\5\ Sections 54.503 and 54.511 of the 
Commission's rules require that solicitations for E-Rate services be 
based on a fair and open competitive bidding process that is free 
from conflicts of interest.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Second Report and Order, 118 FCC Rcd at 9225, para. 66; 
Program Management Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 16387, para. 32. The 
Commission's debarment rules define a ``person'' as ``[a]ny 
individual, group of individuals, corporation, partnership, 
association, unit of government or legal entity, however 
organized.'' 47 CFR 54.8(a)(6).
    \5\ NEC-Business Network Solutions, Inc., Notice of Debarment 
and Order Denying Waiver Petition, 21 FCC Rcd 7491, 7493, para. 7 
(2006).
    \6\ 47 CFR 54.503, 54.511(a); see Federal-State Joint Board on 
Universal Service, CC Docket No. 96-45, Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 
8776, 9078-80, paras. 480-81 (1997) (subsequent history omitted) 
(finding that without competitive bidding requirements, the 
applicant may not receive the most cost-effective services); Lazo 
Technologies, Inc., Order on Reconsideration, 26 FCC Rcd 16661, 
16664, para. 7 (2011) (explaining that a service provider may not be 
involved in the competitive bidding process other than as a bidder) 
(Lazo Recon. Order); see also USAC's Web site description of an Open 
and Fair Competitive Bidding Process, Step 2 available at http://www.universalservice.org/sl/applicants/step02/competitive-bidding.aspx (last visited June 9, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On November 1, 2010, you pled guilty to conspiring with others 
to defraud the E-Rate program. During the course of that conspiracy, 
you used your silk screening business, Twisted Head Design, as a 
shell company to circumvent the E-Rate program's competitive bidding 
rules.\7\ Specifically, you conspired with Gregory Paul Styles, the 
Management Information Systems Director for the Chowchilla 
Elementary School District (CESD), to use Twisted Head Design to bid 
on CESD's E-Rate contracts.\8\ Mr. Styles then selected Twisted Head 
Design's bids knowing that the company was unqualified to perform E-
Rate work, performed the work himself or through his subcontractors, 
and billed USAC for the work.\9\ As a result of your fraudulent 
scheme, USAC disbursed $787,950 to you, a substantial portion of 
which you forwarded to Mr. Styles, who deposited it in his bank 
account.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Plea Agreement at 10-12; United States v. Styles, Criminal 
Docket No. 1:06-CR-00013-001, Indictment at 2 (E.D. Cal. filed Jan. 
19, 2006) (Indictment); see also United States Attorney's Office, 
Eastern District of California, Press Releases, Two Plead Guilty in 
Scheme to Defraud the Chowchilla Elementary School District, Nov. 1, 
2010, available at http://www.fbi.gov/sacramento/press-releases/2010/sc110110.html.
    \8\ Plea Agreement at 11; see Indictment at 6. The Bureau is 
also serving a notice of suspension and initiation of debarment 
proceedings on Mr. Styles. See Letter from Theresa Z. Cavanaugh, 
Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, FCC Enforcement Bureau, 
to Gregory Paul Styles, Notice of Suspension and Initiation of 
Debarment Proceedings, DA 14-1229 (Enf. Bur. Aug. 26, 2014).
    \9\ Plea Agreement at 11; see Indictment at 6.
    \10\ Plea Agreement at 12; see Indictment at 9, 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On March 17, 2011, the United States District Court for the 
Eastern District of California sentenced you to 36 months of 
probation with conditions, including 200 hours of community 
service.\11\ The court also ordered you to pay $40,000 in 
restitution to CESD and a $100 special assessment.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ United States v. Freeman, Criminal Docket No. 1:06-CR-
00013-002, Judgment 1-4 (E.D. Cal. filed Mar. 17, 2011) (Judgment).
    \12\ Judgment at 3, 5. The court ordered Messrs. Styles and 
Freeman to pay this restitution joint and severally. Id. at 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to Sec.  54.8(b) of the Commission's rules,\13\ upon 
your conviction for theft of E-Rate funds, the Bureau is required to 
suspend you from participating in any activities associated with or 
related to the E-Rate program, including receiving funds or 
discounted services through the E-Rate program, or consulting with, 
assisting, or advising applicants or service providers regarding the 
E-Rate program.\14\ Your suspension becomes effective upon either 
your receipt of this letter or its publication in the Federal 
Register, whichever comes first.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 47 CFR 54.8(a)(4); see Second Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd 
at 9225-27, paras. 67-74.
    \14\ 47 CFR 54.8(a)(1), (d).
    \15\ Second Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd at 9226, para. 69; 47 
CFR 54.8(e)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In accordance with the Commission's suspension and debarment 
rules, you may contest this suspension or the scope of this 
suspension by filing arguments, with any relevant documents, within 
thirty (30) calendar days of your receipt of this letter or its 
publication in the Federal Register, whichever comes first.\16\ Such 
requests, however, will not ordinarily be granted.\17\ The Bureau 
may reverse or limit the scope of a suspension only upon a finding 
of extraordinary circumstances.\18\ The Bureau will decide any 
request to reverse or modify a suspension within ninety (90) 
calendar days of its receipt of such request.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 47 CFR 54.8(e)(4).
    \17\ Id.
    \18\ 47 CFR 54.8(f).
    \19\ Second Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd at 9226, para. 70; 47 
CFR 54.8(e)(5), (f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Initiation of Debarment Proceedings

    In addition to requiring your immediate suspension from the E-
Rate program, your conviction is cause for debarment as defined in 
Sec.  54.8(c) of the Commission's rules.\20\ Therefore, pursuant to 
Sec.  54.8(b) of the Commission's rules, your conviction requires 
the Bureau to commence debarment proceedings against you.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ ``Causes for suspension and debarment are conviction of or 
civil judgment for attempt or commission of criminal fraud, theft, 
embezzlement, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of 
records, making false statements, receiving stolen property, making 
false claims, obstruction of justice and other fraud or criminal 
offense arising out of activities associated with or related to the 
schools and libraries support mechanism, the high-cost support 
mechanism, the rural healthcare support mechanism, and the low-
income support mechanism.'' 47 CFR 54.8(c). Associated activities 
``include the receipt of funds or discounted services through [the 
federal universal service] support mechanisms, or consulting with, 
assisting, or advising applicants or service providers regarding 
[the federal universal service] support mechanisms.'' Id. 
54.8(a)(1).
    \21\ Id. 54.8(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As with the suspension process, you may contest the proposed 
debarment or the scope of the proposed debarment by filing arguments 
and any relevant documentation within thirty (30) calendar days of 
receipt of this letter or its publication in the Federal Register, 
whichever comes first.\22\ The Bureau, in the absence of 
extraordinary circumstances, will notify you of its decision to 
debar within ninety (90) calendar days of receiving any information 
you may have filed.\23\ If the Bureau decides to debar you, its 
decision will become effective upon either your receipt of a 
debarment notice or publication of the decision in the Federal 
Register, whichever comes first.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ Second Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd at 9226, para. 70; 47 
CFR 54.8(e)(3).
    \23\ Second Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd at 9226, para. 70; 47 
CFR 54.8(e)(5).
    \24\ 47 CFR 54.8(e)(5). The Commission may reverse a debarment, 
or may limit the scope or period of debarment, upon a finding of 
extraordinary circumstances, following the filing of a petition by 
you or an interested party or upon motion by the Commission. Id. 
54.8(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If and when your debarment becomes effective, you will be 
prohibited from participating in activities associated with or 
related to the E-Rate program for three years from the date of 
debarment.\25\ The Bureau may set a longer debarment period or 
extend an existing debarment period if necessary to protect the 
public interest.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ Second Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd at 9225, para. 67; 47 
CFR 54.8(d) and, (g).
    \26\ 47 CFR 54.8(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Please direct any response, if sent by messenger or hand 
delivery, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications 
Commission, 445 12th Street SW., Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554 
and to the attention of Joy M. Ragsdale, Attorney Advisor, 
Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau, Room 4-
C330, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20554 with a copy to Theresa Z. Cavanaugh, Division 
Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau, 
Room 4-C330, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20554. All messenger or hand delivery filings must be 
submitted without envelopes.\27\ If sent by commercial overnight 
mail (other than U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Express Mail and 
Priority Mail), the response must be sent to the Federal 
Communications Commission, 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, 
Maryland 20743. If sent by USPS First Class, Express Mail, or 
Priority Mail, the response should be addressed to Joy Ragsdale, 
Attorney Advisor, Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement 
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., Room 
4-C330, Washington, DC 20554, with a copy to Theresa Z. Cavanaugh, 
Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau, 
Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., Room 4-C330, 
Washington, DC 20554. You shall also transmit a copy of your 
response via email to Joy M. Ragsdale,

[[Page 54720]]

[email protected], and to Theresa Z. Cavanaugh, 
[email protected].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ See FCC Public Notice, DA 09-2529 for further filing 
instructions (rel. Dec. 3, 2009).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Ragsdale via U.S. 
postal mail, email, or by telephone at (202) 418-1697. You may 
contact me at (202) 418-1553 or at the email address noted above if 
Ms. Ragsdale is unavailable.

 Sincerely yours,
Theresa Z. Cavanaugh.
Chief.
Investigations and Hearings Division.
Enforcement Bureau.

cc: Johnnay Schrieber, Universal Service Administrative Company (via 
email);
    Rashann Duvall, Universal Service Administrative Company (via 
email);
    Mark J. McKeon, United States Attorney's Office, Eastern 
District of California (via email)

[FR Doc. 2014-21831 Filed 9-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P