Industry News

Prosecutors Seek Prison for Susan Patrick in Tax Fraud Case

According to Cowboy State Daily, federal prosecutors are seeking two years in prison for Susan Patrick, co-owner of Wyoming-based media brokerage Patrick Communications and broadcasting company Legend Communications. Patrick pleaded guilty to hiding $10 million in business revenue and $9.5im million in personal income from the IRS. She has agreed to pay $2.5 million in restitution, plus interest, but is asking for probation or home confinement instead of prison, citing “ongoing health concerns.” But prosecutors say the government needs to send a message of deterrence consistent with the “median length of imprisonment for crimes like the one she committed,” which is 21 months. In pleading guilty, Susan Patrick said her husband and business partner Larry Patrick, and other business partners, were not aware of her actions. Read the Cowboy State Story here.

Industry News

Talk Host Ian Freeman Sentenced After Bitcoin Money Laundering Conviction

Ian Freeman (below, left), the co-founder of the independent, nationally syndicated talk radio show “Free Talk Live,” was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted in federal court of laundering $10 million in what the feds called “romance scams and other internet fraud.” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young states, “The defendant’s criminal conduct devastated many vulnerable people. Dozens of victims were identified during the investigation. Many of them lost their life’s savings by way of Freeman’s bitcoin moneyim laundering scheme. The Court recognized that an important part of this sentence was for the defendant to provide restitution to the victims. In financial crimes cases such as this, providing restitution to victims is one of the highest priorities of the U.S. Department of Justice and this Office.” Free Talk Live co-founder Mark Edge (right) tells TALKERS magazine, “It was a sad day for ‘Free Talk Live’ yesterday. Ian, our co-founder, received eight years in prison, followed by two on probation and a $40,000 fine. Restitution and forfeiture are as yet to be determined but will likely be six figures. Ian maintains his innocence but was taken into custody following sentencing. We were prepared for this possibility, as much as we could be. ‘Free Talk Live’ will go on seven nights a week from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET.” See the U.S. Attorney’s Office press release here.

Industry News

Craig Carton Says Farewell to WFAN

Yesterday (6/15), the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand broke the news that WFAN, New York afternoon drive personality Craig Carton will leave his role with the station at the end of the month to focus full time on his show on cable’s FS1 network. During Thursday’s program, he delivered an emotional farewell to the station, his co-host Evan Roberts, and to Audacy New York senior vice president Chris Oliviero – the man whoim brought Carton back to WFAN after he served a year in prison for fraud. He said, “I had a saint in my corner. A gentleman by the name of Chris Oliviero. He has maintained his support of me as a friend and a brother through all the ups and downs of my radio career. When I got myself in trouble, he came and visited me. He told me if I ever got my life back in order and figured out why I made the bad decisions I made, he would be there for me. No guarantees of a job, but that he would never stop being my friend. Having a guy like that as your friend, I’m the luckiest guy in the world. Not only is he my friend, but he paved the way for me to come back to WFAN.” The WFAN website says Carton will continue to do his weekend gambling addiction program, “Hello, My Name is Craig” show that airs on WFAN on Saturday mornings. He added, “WFAN has meant the world to me. If WFAN didn’t give me the opportunity to come back and restart a career, no joke, I’m unemployable… so, walking away from WFAN is not easy. WFAN is my home.”