The Commission released an Order that it has entered into a Consent Decree with Verizon New York, Verizon Network Integration Corp., and Verizon Select Services, Inc. (“Verizon”) to resolve an investigation by the Enforcement Bureau’s (“Bureau”) USF Strike Force into whether Verizon violated the rules of the E-rate program.
The Bureau’s USF Strike Force conducted an extensive investigation into Verizon’s compliance with the rules pertaining to E-rate fundable services provided to the New York City Department of Education (“NYC DOE”). As a result of the Consent Decree, Verizon will implement a compliance plan, and will return a sum of $17,325,000 to the E-rate program. Verizon also agrees:
1) to withdraw and not pursue any and all pending appeals and motions presently before USAC or the Commission concerning NYC DOE, including, but not limited to its Petition for Reconsideration or, in the alternative, Clarification of the NYC DOE adopting Order and Consent Decree (1/26/2016);
2) to surrender all appeal rights with USAC or the Commission that Verizon might have otherwise for seeking E-rate support for the products or services provided to NYC DOE for the period of FY2002-FY2013 for which USAC or the Commission has denied the corresponding request for E-rate support or NYC DOE has withdrawn its request for E-rate support; and
3) not to initiate any additional actions or proceedings, including before any court or tribunal, seeking E-rate support for the products or services provided to NYC DOE for the period of FY2002-FY2013 for which USAC or the Commission has denied the corresponding request for E-rate support or NYC DOE has withdrawn its request for E-rate support.
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