Report: FCC chairman abused power

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A U.S. House investigation found that the Federal Communications Commission's chairman abused his power.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that FCC chief Kevin Martin made "egregious abuses of power." The newspaper reported that it was unclear whether Martin broke any laws during his time as the nation's top telecommunications regulator.

The report -- led by Reps. John D. Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Bart Stupak, D-Mich., chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations -- found Martin suppressed information and manipulated data to serve his agenda.

"Any of these findings, individually, are cause for concern," Dingell said. "Together, the findings suggest that, in recent years, the FCC has operated in a dysfunctional manner and commission business has suffered as a result. It is my hope that the new FCC chairman will find this report instructive and that it will prove useful in helping the commission avoid making the same mistakes."

FCC spokesman Robert Kenny noted the report indicated the FCC did not violate any rules, laws or procedures.

"Chairman Martin has followed the same procedures that have been followed for the past 20 years by FCC chairmen, both Democratic and Republican alike," Kenny said.