The FCC has slapped Clear Channel on the wrist with a $22,000 fine for failing to “fully and accurately” disclose rules in a 2008 market-wide radio contest in Los Angeles. The Commission received a complaint in July 2008, alleging that CC’s KOST, KHHT, KBIG-FM, KYSR, KIIS-FM and KFI-AM misled the audience in the company’s “Chevrolet Make Your Own Commercial” contest, in which the creator of the best homemade Chevy video—as determined by online votes—would be awarded a car. The disgruntled participant insisted that not only did the winning entrant submit after the deadline, but that the victor was a friend or family member of a Clear Channel staffer. The broadcast giant's defense was that because the contest was conducted over its station websites instead of on-air, it wasn’t subject to FCC mandates. The Commission didn’t buy it, also ruling that the contest deadlines for submission were, at best, confusing. Regarding the charge of contest-rigging, the FCC deemed Clear Channel in the clear: It had submitted evidence that “credibly refutes these allegations.” Just to make sure the bruise doesn’t heal too fast, the Commission also issued a chilling finger wag to Clear Channel: “We caution that the imposition of even higher forfeitures may result in the future if such misconduct persists.”