Justice Dept. Sues Fox Over Raunchy Reality Show

The Justice Department has stepped in to force Fox to pay up $56,000 in indecency fines levied by the FCC but challenged by the broadcaster, Variety reports. Eight Fox-owned stations are being sued to collect fines for a 2003 episode of "Married by America" that featured men at a bachelor party licking whipped cream off topless strippers.

The FCC yesterday rejected a request from Fox to reconsider the decision. A spokeswoman welcomed the DoJ's involvement, saying it was "long past time" for Fox to pay its fines and that the commission had "an obligation to protect our children by enforcing laws restricting indecent content." Fox says it is looking forward to making its case in court, calling the fine "arbitrary and capricious." (More Justice Department stories.)