United States v. Shlom
United States v. Shlom
Opinion of the Court
Motion by the petitioner pursuant to the general authority contained in 26 U. S.C. § 7402(b) to compel compliance with a summons issued by the Internal Revenue Service, is granted.
The summons in question, in the form of a subpoena dated April 20, 1968, was duly issued and served upon the respondent who is an attorney at law and represents two taxpayers, Columbus Hardware, Inc. and Albert Danowitz. The subpoena directs the production of certain records of Columbus Hardware, Inc. The only document in dispute is Item #12 in the subpoena.
The Court held a hearing on March 4, 1969 at which evidence was presented in the form of affidavits, documents and the testimony of certain witnesses. The parties were able to stipulate to a great deal of the factual background in the case. After establishing that the subpoena was duly served upon the Respondent, as attorney for the taxpayers, Morris Goldman, the accountant for Columbus Hardware, Inc. and Albert Danowitz, was called. He testified, in substance, that he prepared the corporate and individual returns of the taxpayers and never saw nor relied upon Item #12 in the preparation of the returns. Mr. Goldman indicated that he felt he had sufficient records for the compilation of the tax returns of Columbus Hardware, Inc. without said book. He stated that the book made no sense to him until Mr. Danowitz explained what the figures contained therein meant.
Albert Danowitz, the sole stockholder and the only compensated officer and director of Columbus Hardware, Inc., testified that the book was not a corporate record, but was his own personal record. He indicated that he did not furnish the book to his accountant to aid in the preparation of either his corporate or individual returns. Mr. Danowitz’ affidavit in support of the instant motion
It seems clear to the Court that the book was intended to furnish documentary support or assistance for a determination of the best location for Columbus Hardware, Inc. While the book can be characterized broadly as a “personal” document since it belonged to Mr. Danowitz alone, when viewed in relation to the surrounding facts and circumstances, the book relates to the corporate affairs of Columbus Hardware, Inc. The Court finds that the figures in the book were intended to furnish information upon which a decision as to corporate business location could be made and as such sufficiently related to the corporate business of Columbus Hardware, Inc. to be produceable under the subpoena.
The motion to compel is granted and the defendant is ordered to comply with all aspects of the summons.
So ordered.
On Reargument
By decision dated March 12, 1969, this Court granted the petitioner’s motion, pursuant to the general authority contained in 26 U.S.C. § 7402(b), to compel compliance with a summons issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The motion of the respondent for reargument of that decision is granted.
Respondent’s initial challenge relates to the finding of this Court, after an evidentiary hearing, that the item in dispute was a corporate record of Columbus Hardware, Inc., rather than a personal record of Albert Danowitz, the sole stockholder of the corporation. The Court has considered all the testimony offered on this subject, in particular that of Mr. Danowitz stating the purpose of the book and its use in determining the location of the corporate business. The fact that this book did not purport to chronicle or detail all of the business affairs of Columbus Hardware, Inc., or that it may have been an excess or cumulative document unnecessary for the preparation of the corporate tax return is of no import.
Respondent next asserts that this Court’s decision “apparently disregarded the impact of United States v. Dickerson. * * * ”
Respondent also claims that “[T]his Court erroneously applied the principals [sic] of Hair Industry Ltd. et al. v. United States
In footnote 2 of this Court’s decision of March 12,1969, a statement was made that the other grounds asserted by thé respondent in its motion papers were either withdrawn or irrelevant. At the time of the evidentiary hearing held in this case, the Court was informed that the sole issue before it was whether the document in question was a corporate or personal record. The transcript of the record is replete with references to this “sole issue” and would justify the Court in refusing to consider the other grounds asserted. However, in fairness to the respondent and the intervenors, the Court deems the matters reasserted on the motion for reargument and will examine them on their merits.
Respondent claims that the tax investigation in the case at bar is a criminal one and that 26 U.S.C. § 7602 does not permit the use of a summons by a special agent for production of the records desired. The issuance of such summons in this case was not improper, however, for the use of this statutory power is not terminated by the mere possibility of a later criminal investigation. As in United States v. DeGrosa,
The next ground alludes to the language used to instruct Special Agents in United States v. Frank.
Respondent next asserts that his Fifth Amendment privilege prevents the production of this document. This Court has already noted its finding that the document is a corporate record and that the holding in Hair Industry Ltd. v. United States, supra, is that the privilege is not a bar to the production of such a document.
Respondent’s assertion that the summons was improper here as a second examination without written notice to the taxpayer is without foundation.
The last of respondent’s claimed grounds for his right to deny production of this book is that he is entitled to discovery under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure prior to the Court’s determination of the issues discussed above. Respondent had ample time for such discovery,
This Court adheres to its decision of March 12, 1969. The respondent is ordered to comply with all aspects of the summons.
So ordered.
. Item #12 in the subpoena states as follows : “A bound day book (cash book) wherein the daily totals of the cash register tapes were entered.”
. Respondent and the two intervenors have asserted other grounds in opposing production of the document. These grounds have either been actually or impliedly withdrawn by them or bear no relevance to the issue before the Court.
. The first page of the affidavit was admitted into evidence as Petitioner’s Exhibit 3.
. The question of the exercise of an individual constitutional privilege as to a corporate document in a closely held corporation is not before the Court. See Hair Industry, Ltd. et al. v. United States, 340 F.2d 510 (2d Cir.), cert. denied 381 U.S. 950, 85 S.Ct. 1804, 14 L.Ed.2d 724 (1965).
. Rule 9(m) of the General Rules of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
. Morris Goldman, the accountant who prepared both the corporate and personal tax returns, testified that he never used the book in question for the preparation of either return and that the information disclosed by the book would not necessitate a change in any of the tax returns he prepared.
. 291 F.Supp. 633 (N.D.Ill., E.D. 1968).
. 340 F.2d 510 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 381 U.S. 950, 85 S.Ct. 1804, 14 L.Ed.2d 724 (1935).
. See footnote 2 (decision of March 12, 1969) and the discussion infra at pages 4-5.
. See application of Weiss, 283 F.Supp. 97 (E.D.N.Y. 1968); United States v. Crespo, 281 F.Supp. 928 (D.Md. 1968); United States v. Neves, 269 F.Supp. 158 (S.D.N.Y. 1967); Caro v. Bingler, 242 F.Supp. 418 (W.D.Pa. 1965).
. 405 F.2d 926 (3d Cir. 1969).
. See Wild v. United States, 362 F.2d 206 (9th Cir. 1966); In re Magnus, Maybee & Reynard, Inc., 311 F.2d 12 (2d Cir.), cert. denied 373 U.S. 902, 83 S.Ct. 1289, 10 L.Ed.2d 198 (1962).
. 405 F.2d 926, n. 4, supra.
. There has been no showing that once an Internal Revenue Special Agent enters a case, the investigation then has a sole criminal purpose. The cases cited by the respondent are inapposite.
. See discussion of United States v. Dickerson, supra.
. 245 F.2d 284 (3d Cir.), cert. denied 355 U.S. 819, 78 S.Ct. 25, 2 L.Ed. 2d 35 (1957).
. In Frank, the Court noted that these instructions were given for use in a special “racket group” case. No evidence was presented from which the Court could find a similar investigation here to even raise an inference.
. See 26 U.S.C. § 7605(b).
. The summons was served on April 26, 1968; enforcement proceedings were commenced on December 31, 1968 and the motion came to be heard before this Court on March 4, 1969.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- United States v. Albert SHLOM
- Status
- Published