FCC Releases Notice of Suspension

On March 22, 2012, the FCC released a Notice of Suspension and Initiation of Debarment Proceedings against Gloria Harper. Harper, owner of Computer Training and Associates (CTA) and co-owner of Global Networking Technologies, Inc. (GNT) pled guilty to “knowingly and willfully orchestrating multiple fraudulent schemes and conspiring with others to defraud the E-rate program through the submission of materially false and fraudulent documents, concealment of material facts, and obstruction and manipulation of the competitive bidding process involving schools and schools districts located in six states.” From 2001 through 2005, Harper violated E-Rate program rules by completing, submitting, and fraudulently signing E-Rate program applications on behalf of school applicants. Harper also promised to waive the applicants required payments if they chose CTA or GNT as their service providers. These actions resulted in CTA and GNT receiving approximately $4.5 million in E-rate contracts. Harper was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Stakeholders can view individuals and corporations who have been suspended or debarred from participating in the E-rate program here.