Two weeks after the Federal Communications Commissions launched an investigation into who was controlling a trio of El Paso, TX stations, their proposed sale to a Mexican broadcaster has been called off. A separate brokerage agreement has also been terminated according to filings by the station with the FCC. No explanation was given, but it appears a move to avoiding a lengthy investigation that ultimately could lead to the loss of the stations.
The Commission last month raised the possibility of revoking the licenses of regional Mexican “Ke Buena 97.5” KBNA-FM, Spanish AC KAMA (750), and the currently-silent KQBU (920) after it said an investigation into their ownership “raised more questions than it has resolved.”
In 2023, Lorena Margarita Pérez Toscano filed a $2,461,565 deal to buy the stations from a U.S. holding company with ties to Grupo Radio Mexico led by Luz Maria Rygaard. Because Toscano is a Mexican citizen, that triggered a deeper review by the Justice Department. It had no objection to the sale…