Rohland v. Syn-Fuel Associates-1982 Ltd. Partnership

879 F. Supp. 322, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2534, 1995 WL 100562
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. New York
DecidedMarch 3, 1995
DocketNos. 89 Civ. 3325 (SWK), 89 Civ. 8593 (SWK)
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 879 F. Supp. 322 (Rohland v. Syn-Fuel Associates-1982 Ltd. Partnership) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Rohland v. Syn-Fuel Associates-1982 Ltd. Partnership, 879 F. Supp. 322, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2534, 1995 WL 100562 (S.D.N.Y. 1995).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

KRAM, District Judge.

In these consolidated actions for securities fraud, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961 et seq. (“RICO”) and related state claims, defendants1 move, pursuant to Rules 12(b)(6) and 9(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, to dismiss the complaints. In the alternative, defendants move for summary judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56. For the reasons set forth below, defendants’ motion to dismiss is granted in part and denied in part.

BACKGROUND

I. The Partnerships

In 1981 and 1982, plaintiffs, citizens of eight different states, invested in three limited partnerships: (1) Syn-Fuel Associates— 1982, Limited Partnership (“Syn-Fuel 1982”); (2) Syn-Fuel, Limited Partnership (“Syn-Fuel”); and (3) Peat Oil and Gas Associates, Limited Partnership (“POGA”) (collectively, the “partnerships”). Each plaintiff invested between $80,750 and $646,000 in the partnerships in an attempt to attain certain economic benefits, including favorable tax consequences.

Defendant Arthur Goldman served as the general partner of both Syn-Fuel 1982 and POGA, while defendant Martin Kaye served as the general partner of Syn-Fuel. The partnerships were created to pursue three businesses: (1) owning, licensing or otherwise exploiting technology related to the production of synthetic fuel from cellulosic materials such as peat and wood; (2) developing a pilot plant to test the commercial feasibility of the experimental process for converting cellulosie materials into synthetic fuel; and [326]*326(3) oil and gas exploration and development. The patent at issue changed hands several times through various licensing agreements, ultimately vesting with defendant Sci-Teck Licensing Corp., which subsequently licensed the technology to the partnerships. Each partnership received rights to market and exploit the technology in specified geographic regions.

As part of their investment strategy, the partnerships sold the rights to exploit the synthetic fuel technology to certain third parties. For example, the partnerships granted to defendant Fuel-Teck Research and Development, Inc. non-exclusive rights to exploit the technology in exchange for royalty fees derived from sublicensing and sales. Additionally, the partnerships entered into an agreement with defendant Fuel-Teck Oil and Gas, Inc. (“0 & G”) under which 0 & G would direct all oil and gas investment, exploration and development operations.

II. The Memoranda

The partnerships retained the law firm of Baskin & Sears, P.C. (“Baskin & Sears”) to provide advice with respect to the tax consequences of the partnerships’ activities.2 Among its services, Baskin & Sears prepared a private placement memorandum for each of the three partnerships (the “Memoranda”) which included a description of each partnership and a tax opinion letter (the “Tax Opinion Letters”).3

The Memoranda contained stern warnings to prospective investors about the partnerships’ high degree of risk and potential for loss. The first page of the POGA Memorandum, for example, states in bold, capital letters: “This offering involves a high degree of risk (See ‘Risk Factors’).” See POGA Memorandum, annexed to the Notice of Motion as Exh. “E,” at 1. The POGA Memorandum also provides:

The investment described in this Memorandum involves a high degree of risk (see “Risk Factors”). Purchase of Units should be considered only by persons who understand, or who have been advised with respect to, the long-term nature of, the tax consequences of, and risk factors associated with, this investment and can afford a total loss of their investment.

Id. at 3. The POGA Memorandum cautions further:

The estimates contained in this Memorandum are prepared on the basis of assumptions and hypotheses which are believed to be reasonable but which are subject to substantial risks and contingencies covering an extended period of time. No assurance can be given that any of the potential benefits described in this Memorandum will prove to be available.

Id. at 4.

The POGA Memorandum also contains a section entitled “Risk Factors,” which sets out numerous risks associated with the partnerships, including: (1) lack of experience in acquiring, developing or exploring oil and gas properties; (2) inadequate funding; (3) general risks associated with mineral property operation; (4) the speculative nature of oil and gas exploration; (5) potential equipment shortages; (6) lack of insurance; (7) potential property title defects; (8) technological viability; (9) need for adequate land; (10) environmental hazards; (11) uncertain patent protection; (12) infringement liability; (13) limitations on licensing technology; (14) conflicts of interest between the investors and the general partners; (15) lack of arms-length negotiation of contracts and licensing fees; (16) uncertainty as to the tax classification of the partnerships; and (17) tax problems related to the potential impermissibility of certain deductions. See id. at 20-32.

The POGA Memorandum details the federal income tax consequences of investing in [327]*327the partnerships. In addition to advising prospective investors about tax risks, such as the difficulty of anticipating rulings by the Internal Revenue Service (the “Service”) and the United States Tax Court (the “Tax Court”), the POGA Memorandum cautions, in capital letters, that “a prospective investor should obtain professional guidance from his own tax advisor in evaluating the tax risks involved.” Id. at 50.

The Tax Opinion Letters also set forth the possible tax treatments the partnerships may receive by the Service. Specifically, the POGA Tax Opinion Letter states that “[f]rom a federal tax standpoint there are substantial and material risks associated with a limited partner’s investment in [the partnership].” See POGA Tax Opinion Letter, annexed to the Notice of Motion as Exh. “E,” at B-12. •The POGA Tax Opinion Letter also advises prospective investors that the Service may determine that the partnerships were not engaged in a “business for profit” and therefore are not entitled to tax deductions pursuant to Section 183 of the Internal Revenue Code.4 Id. at B-38. ■ With respect to this issue, the POGA Tax Opinion Letter concludes:

The determination of whether an activity is engaged in for profit is based on all the facts and circumstances and no one factor is determinative. Although the General Partner anticipates that the operations of the Partnership will constitute a profit-motivated activity, and therefore that Section 183 should not apply, no assurance can be given that the Service would not contend that it does apply and would not be successful in its contention.

Id. at B-39.

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Bluebook (online)
879 F. Supp. 322, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2534, 1995 WL 100562, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/rohland-v-syn-fuel-associates-1982-ltd-partnership-nysd-1995.