Airlie Foundation, Inc. v. United States

826 F. Supp. 537, 72 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 5026, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6638, 1993 WL 264477
CourtDistrict Court, District of Columbia
DecidedMay 19, 1993
DocketCiv. A. 89-0258 (TAF)
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 826 F. Supp. 537 (Airlie Foundation, Inc. v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, District of Columbia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Airlie Foundation, Inc. v. United States, 826 F. Supp. 537, 72 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 5026, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6638, 1993 WL 264477 (D.D.C. 1993).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

FLANNERY, District Judge.

This matter comes before the Court on the United States’ motion for summary judgment. This suit was filed following a decision of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to revoke the tax-exempt status of Airlie Foundation, Inc. (“AFI”). AFI seeks a declaratory judgment under 26 U.S.C. § 7428 that it is still entitled to its tax-exempt status.

I.

AFI has been classified as a tax exempt organization since 1963. In 1979, Dr. Murdock Head, the founder and executive director of AFI, was convicted in the Eastern District of Virginia of conspiracy to commit tax fraud and to bribe public officials. The Fourth Circuit reversed the conviction based on an improper jury instruction. United States v. Head, 641 F.2d 174 (4th Cir.1981). Dr. Head was retried and again convicted in 1981. The conviction was affirmed in United States v. Head, 697 F.2d 1200 (4th Cir.1982), cert. denied, 462 U.S. 1132, 103 S.Ct. 3113, 77 *539 L.Ed.2d 1367 (1983). AFI and Raven’s Hollow, Ltd., a related corporation also controlled by Dr. Head, were named as unindicted co-conspirators in the case. 1

Based on the testimony at the criminal trials, the IRS began to examine AFI’s tax-exempt status for the years 1976 through 1980. The IRS notified AFI of its concern by a draft technical advice memorandum (“draft TAM”), dated' December 15, 1980. The draft TAM identified eleven issues to be addressed, each constituting a potential ground for revocation. Subsequent to the issuance of the draft TAM, AFI sought and received several extensions of time in which to respond to the draft TAM. AFI filed its response, called a protest, in 1983. AFI challenged the IRS’ use of grand jury materials and testimony from Dr. Head’s criminal trials in its evaluation of AFI’s tax-exempt status. The Fourth Circuit ultimately upheld this practice. United States v. Under Seal, 783 F.2d 450 (4th Cir.1986), cert. denied sub nom, Raven’s Hollow, Ltd. v. United States, 481 U.S. 1032, 107 S.Ct. 1964, 95 L.Ed.2d 535 (1987).

In 1988, the IRS completed its determination which had been held in abeyance while the IRS’ use of the grand jury materials and testimony was being challenged. In November 1988, the IRS issued its final TAM, revoking AFI’s exempt status effective January 1,1976, based on its conclusion that AFI was serving the private interests of Dr. Head. The IRS also based the revocation on, its conclusion that AFI was operating as a commercial enterprise.

Following a hearing on the United States’ motion for summary judgment, the Court remanded the matter to the IRS. The Court directed the IRS to set forth the facts, with specific citations to the administrative record, on which the IRS had based its revocation decision, in order that the Court could review the IRS’ conclusions. See Memorandum Order, August 21, 1992, 1992 WL 280796. The IRS- filed a compliance document in October 1992.

II.

A. Network of organizations

The IRS revoked AFI’s exempt status based, in part, on the conclusion that AFI was serving the private interests of Dr. Head. 2 This conclusion rests on Dr. Head’s control over a network of organizations, including AFI, that were involved in numerous transactions and exchanges of money, marketable assets and land.

At the center of this network was AFI, which was incorporated in 1960 as a Virginia non-stock corporation. Dr. Murdock Head founded AFI. The Foundation applied for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code on August 17, 1962. The Foundation’s application was referred to the Internal Revenue Service National Office, for consideration and exempt status was granted in 1963. Dr. Head served as the unpaid Executive Director of AFI until October 1979. He admitted at his criminal trial that he controlled AFI. Head II, vol. XVIII at 85-86. 3

*540 Airlie Farm was another part of the network. It was acquired by Dr. Head and his then wife Mrs. Head in a series of purchases during the 1950s and 1960s. The Heads operated the partnership known as Airlie Farm until 1976. The Heads acquired as partners nearly 1,200 acres of land located near Warrenton, Virginia, between June 1956 and May 1967. On November 1, 1960, AFI leased approximately 388 acres and buildings thereon from the Airlie Farm partnership for five years at $68,900 per year, with three five-year options to renew through 1980. AFI exercised options, including a changed option from five years to 10 years.

AFI, however, did not pay the rent. As of August 21, 1970, AFI owed Airlie Farm $442,740.93 in unpaid rent, represented by an unsecured note to Dr. Head. AFI’s A.R. 22 at 67 (AFI’s Protest). Interest due to Airlie Farm was apparently forgiven. In June, 1974, AFI issued a similar note for $132,823 to cover additional rent. AFI’s A.R. 22 at 67. Dr. Head later used the two notes to establish the Airlie Trust, another non-exempt organization which he controlled.

Kimmaren Corporation, another part of the network, was formed as a stock corporation in the Commonwealth of Virginia on December 23, 1975. On December 22, 1976, Dr. and Mrs. Head transferred the Airlie Farm property to their three children. Five days later, on December 27, 1976, Airlie Farm was transferred to Kimmaren Corporation in exchange for stock. The transfer included the realty leased to AFI; Kimmaren then, operated Airlie Farm and became AFI’s landlord. AFI’s AR. 22 at 61. Kimmaren traded under the name Airlie Farm.

Dr. Head controlled Kimmaren and his three children served as directors of the company. Dr. Head served as president and managing executive of Kimmaren Corporation. In 1977, Dr. Head received $12,000 compensation from Kimmaren. His daughter Kimberly Head replaced him as president in 1978. Viola Westlake was an officer for both AFI and Kimmaren Corporation.

Yet another part of the network was Raven’s Hollow, Ltd. This company was first incorporated on July 25, 1963. Dr. Head testified that he and Mr. Henry Bernie created Raven’s Hollow. Head II, vol. XVIII at 79. Dr. Head exerted early control over Raven’s Hollow. For example, although Dr. Head’s name is not listed as one of the initial board of directors, Mr. Bain, one of the initial board members, testified before the grand jury that the information in the Raven’s Hollow Articles of Incorporation came from Dr. Head.

Raven’s Hollow was next incorporated as a Virginia non-stock, not-for-profit corporation on December 20, 1965 and was voluntarily dissolved in May of 1977. AFI’s A.R. 22 at 69. A new Virginia - for-profit corporation bearing the name Raven’s Hollow was formed in May, 1977. AFI’s A.R.

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826 F. Supp. 537, 72 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 5026, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6638, 1993 WL 264477, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/airlie-foundation-inc-v-united-states-dcd-1993.