Fifth Circuit Probes Validity of AT&T’s $57 Million FCC Fine

A Fifth Circuit panel pressed the Federal Communications Commission Monday on whether it violated AT&T Inc.‘s constitutional right to a jury trial when it imposed a $57 million penalty for sharing customers’ location information without consent.

Judges asked the agency for its justification in moving forward with the forfeiture order without an administrative law judge hearing. AT&T argued the agency violated its right for a jury trial and misused the statutes it cited for the enforcement actions last year.

“Why does it make sense for the agency to make their decision when they haven’t even had a hearing?” Judge ...