A racist robocall attacking Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams could result in a large fine against the video podcaster accused of distributing it.
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday proposed a $12.9 million fine against Scott Rhodes, who FCC investigators say used caller ID spoofing to make it appear that thousands of robocalls were coming from local phone numbers targeting Abrams and others in six states.
Rhodes allegedly made 583 spoofed robocalls to Georgians in early November 2018, days before the election for governor between Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp.
The call, which impersonated Oprah Winfrey as she was campaigning for Abrams, attacked African Americans, Jews and “dumb white women.” Both Abrams and Kemp condemned the calls at the time.
“This racist robocall was one of many forms of voter suppression that targeted Georgians of color during the 2018 campaign, and it is a positive step for democracy that these tactics are not going unpunished,” said Seth Bringman, an aide to Abrams.
Rhodes' robocalls also targeted former Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, California Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and an Idaho newspaper publisher, according to the FCC. Other calls in Iowa and Virginia peddled conspiracy theories and promoted white nationalism.
“Today, we begin to hold Rhodes accountable for his apparent violations of the law,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement. “It once again makes clear this commission’s determination to go after those who are unlawfully bombarding the American people with spoofed robocalls.”
Rhodes, who ran a podcast called “The Road to Power” from Idaho, allegedly violated the Truth in Caller ID Act, which prohibits manipulating caller ID information with the intent to defraud, cause harm or wrongfully obtain something of value, according to the FCC.
The commission said Rhodes was trying to increase publicity for his website and personal brand.
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