Clyburn Concerned About Wright Petitioners' 'Serious Allegations' Against Securus

a regulated affiliate or an unregulated affiliate charging egregious flat-fee inmate calling service rates: it makes no difference to the pocketbooks of an inmate’s family," Clyburn said in a statement responding to our query. "Irrespective of whether the transaction is approved, I hope that the FCC will investigate." The Wright Petitioners and other inmate family advocates said Securus simply rebranded prohibited per-call connection charges and flat-rate fees as "first minute" rates and continued charging "unjust, unreasonable and unfair" prices (see 1706190023 and 1707050015). Securus was to meet with FCC staff Wednesday "to clear out any and all issues that are relevant to our simple transfer of control request," CEO Richard Smith emailed. "We have responded to all previous allegations by the Wright Petitioners in a respectful and accurate way to date -- we will continue to do so [so] the FCC Staff is crystal clear on our thinking and responses." The Wright Petitioners also have alleged the ICS provider misled the FCC by telling the commission it had received all state approvals it needed, even though Alaska and California hadn't acted (see 1708030040). The company later said it "had obtained all state approvals required by the Stock Purchase Agreement as a condition to closing the transaction," and its prior letter "was intended to be read and should be read as referring only to these contractual obligations" (see 1708070049).