United States v. Climbing Hill Savings Bank
Opinion of the Court
The Internal Revenue Service issued a summons to the Climbing Hills Savings Bank of Climbing Hills, Iowa, seeking signature cards, statements, cancelled checks, papers and records for the purpose of determining the 1976 and 1977 income tax liability of taxpayers, Harland W. French and Darlene M. French. Taxpayers notified the bank not to comply and the government commenced the present enforcement proceeding pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7602. A magistrate conducted a hearing and con-
The government claims taxpayers have no cognizable fifth amendment objections to enforcement of the summons because the summons sought no testimony or information from taxpayers. Citing Fisher v. United States, 425 U.S. 391, 96 S.Ct. 1569, 48 L.Ed.2d 39 (1976); Couch v. United States, 409 U.S. 322, 93 S.Ct. 611, 34 L.Ed.2d 548 (1973); United States v. Stuart, 587 F.2d 929 (8th Cir. 1978); United States v. Moll, 602 F.2d 134 (7th Cir. 1979); United States v. Brown, 600 F.2d 248 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 917, 100 S.Ct. 233, 62 L.Ed.2d 172 (1979). See also United States v. National Bank of the Black Hills, 626 F.2d 605 (8th Cir. 1980) (and cases cited therein).
The government also contends summonses directed to third party banks do not violate the fourth amendment rights of depositors because the records belong to the banks not the depositors. Citing United States v. Miller, 425 U.S. 435, 440-44, 96 S.Ct. 1619, 1622, 48 L.Ed.2d 71 (1976); United States v. National Bank of the Black Hills, 626 F.2d 605 (8th Cir. 1980); United States v. Stuart, 587 F.2d 929 (8th Cir. 1978); United States v. Brown, 600 F.2d 248 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 917, 100 S.Ct. 233, 62 L.Ed.2d 172 (1979); Kelley v. United States, 536 F.2d 897, 898 (9th Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 1047, 97 S.Ct. 756, 50 L.Ed.2d 762.
We find the above cited cases controlling. Enforcement is granted, the order of the district court granting enforcement is affirmed and the stay pending appeal is dissolved.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America and Robert L. Amick, Revenue Agent, Internal Revenue Service v. CLIMBING HILL SAVINGS BANK and Dwain Loyd, President, Harland W. French and Darlene M. French
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published