T.C. Memo. 2018-101

UNITED STATES TAX COURT

GREGORY RAIFMAN AND SUSAN RAIFMAN, Petitioners v.

COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent

Docket No. 3897-14. Filed July 3, 2018.

Brian G. Isaacson, for petitioners.

Aimee R. Lobo-Berg and Catherine J. Caballero, for respondent.

MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

NEGA, Judge: By notice of deficiency dated November 21, 2013,

respondent determined deficiencies in the Federal income tax of petitioners,
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[*2] Gregory and Susan Raifman, for taxable years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008

(years at issue) and accuracy-related penalties under section 6662 as follows:

1

Year Deficiency

Penalty

sec. 6662(a)

2004 $849,029 $169,806

2005 184,489 36,898

2006 221,279 44,256

2008 16,509 3,301

The Raifmans timely petitioned this Court for redetermination.

2

1Unless otherwise indicated, all section references are to the Internal

Revenue Code (Code) in effect for the years at issue. All Rule references are to

the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure. All monetary amounts are

rounded to the nearest dollar.

2The Raifmans have a related case before this Court: Raifman v.

Commissioner, docket No. 12144-11L (CDP case). The CDP case results from

respondent’s attempt to collect the Raifmans’ unpaid tax for 2003. There the

Raifmans claimed entitlement to theft loss deductions for 2006 that, if sustained,

they intend to carry back to 2003 to eliminate their unpaid tax balance. See, e.g.,

sec. 172(a), (b)(1)(E), (d)(4).

On September 20, 2011, respondent filed a motion for summary judgment

(motion) in that case, arguing, as relevant here, that the Raifmans’ sale of stock

did not result in a deductible theft loss. On August 7, 2012, this Court released

Raifman v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2012-228, wherein we declined to grant

respondent’s motion and held that disputed issues of material fact necessitated

trial.

On April 29, 2016, the parties filed a joint stipulation to be bound with

respect to the CDP case. In the stipulation to be bound the parties agreed that the

outcome of the present case will resolve all issues presented in the CDP case. 

(continued...)
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[*3] After concessions and stipulations,

3

 the issues remaining for decision are

2

(...continued)

Accordingly, on June 20, 2016, upon due consideration of the parties’ stipulations,

we ordered that the CDP case be held in abeyance pending the entry of decision in

the present case.

3The Raifmans have stipulated or did not address--at trial or on brief--a

number of adjustments determined in the notice of deficiency. Accordingly, the

Raifmans have, or are deemed to have, conceded the following issues and

adjustments. See Rule 34(b)(4); Mendes v. Commissioner, 121 T.C. 308, 312-313

(2003); Leahy v. Commissioner, 87 T.C. 56, 73-74 (1986). 

For 2004: a $4,970,743 increase in capital gains; a $35,034 reduction in a

deduction for mortgage interest claimed on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions; a

$305,631 reduction in a claimed deduction for investment interest claimed on

Schedule A; and the denial of a deduction of $3,005 claimed on Schedule F, Profit

or Loss From Farming.

For 2005: a $51,749 reduction in a claimed mortgage interest deduction and

a $593,784 reduction in a claimed investment interest deduction.

For 2006: a $664,384 reduction in a claimed investment interest deduction

and a $79,411 increase to income to reflect the unreported receipt of a State tax

refund.

For 2008: various computational adjustments.

The Raifmans, however, did not concede their dispute with respect to the

statutory interest determined in the notice of deficiency. We observe that this

Court’s jurisdiction to redetermine a tax deficiency does not permit the Court to

review or abate statutory interest absent the taxpayer first exhausting his or her

otherwise available administrative remedies. Sec. 6404(h); Rule 280; Bourekis v.

Commissioner, 110 T.C. 20, 26 (1998); cf. Bennett v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo.

2017-243, at *6-*9. The Raifmans neither alleged receipt of, nor entered into evidence, any final determination wherein respondent rejects their request for abatement of interest. Similarly, the Raifmans neither alleged nor entered into evidence

any proof that they have even filed for or otherwise formally requested from

respondent an abatement of interest. Accordingly, we hold that this Court lacks

jurisdiction to hear the Raifmans’ attempt to seek a redetermination of interest

under sec. 6404(h). See Carter v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2014-142, at *5.
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[*4] whether the Raifmans are: (1) entitled to deduct theft losses totaling

$10,798,061 for their 2008 tax year;4 (2) entitled to a long-term capital loss

deduction of $400,000 for their 2008

5

 tax year; and (3) liable for the section

6662(a) accuracy-related penalty for each of the years at issue.

4The notice of deficiency disallowed a $15,160,607 theft loss deduction for

for the Raifmans’ tax year 2008.

In their petition the Raifmans revised their claimed theft losses to reflect the

amount above. This amount remaining at issue comprises a $3,750,000 loss

arising from their participation in the Derivium program; a $2,475,000 loss arising

from their participation in the ClassicStar program; a $1,934,084 loss arising from

their investment in the Real Return Fund; and a loss of $2,638,977 arising from

their investment in the Secured Lending Fund.

5The Raifmans initially claimed this $400,000 loss deduction as a

component of their $15,160,607 theft loss deduction claimed for tax year 2008. In

the notice of deficiency, respondent disallowed any deduction for the full amount

of that theft loss. The Raifmans now argue this $400,000 amount was a properly

deductible capital loss for their tax year 2009. The Raifmans’ 2009 tax year,

however, is not before the Court. Additionally, we find the record lacks facts

sufficient to enable us to consider the implications of the Raifmans’ 2009 tax year

with respect to our redetermination of the deficiencies properly before this Court. 

See Hill v. Commissioner, 95 T.C. 437, 439-440 (1990). Accordingly, our

jurisdiction over this loss extends only to reach the claim made on the Raifmans’

2008 tax return.

We observe that the Raifmans have also claimed this loss deduction in a

parallel refund suit brought before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, with respect

to their tax year 2009. On May 15, 2014, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims stayed

all proceedings in that case until this Court renders a decision in the present

matter.
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[*5] FINDINGS OF FACT

Some of the facts have been stipulated and are so found. The stipulation of

facts and the attached exhibits are incorporated herein by this reference. The

Raifmans

6

 were married and resided in California at all times relevant to this case.

I. The Beginning

A. Background

Mr. Raifman is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the

Georgetown University Law Center, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in

economics and history and a juris doctorate, respectively. Mr. Raifman began his

professional career as a judicial law clerk serving the U.S. District Court for the

Southern District of Georgia. Following his clerkship, Mr. Raifman took

successive positions at the law firms of Latham and Watkins, and Skadden, Arps,

Meagher and Flom. At those firms Mr. Raifman gained significant exposure to,

and practiced in, the fields of high-yield debt financing, “hostile takeovers”, and

corporate mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Raifman developed skills in these fields, 

6The Raifmans engaged in the transactions discussed herein both personally

and by way of wholly owned pass-through entities, notably Helicon Ltd.

(Helicon), their entity organized in the Cayman Islands, and the Gekko Group,

LLC, or Gekko Holdings, LLC (Gekko). For clarity we distinguish the individual

Raifmans, Gekko, and Helicon only where necessary. We otherwise refer to all as

the Raifmans.
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[*6] and in due time he pivoted his legal career to focus his work therein: first by

taking a position as counsel at Montgomery Securities, where he specialized in

facilitating initial and secondary public offerings for his clients, and later by

founding his own law firm and numerous venture capital investment and advisory

firms primarily dedicated to investing in computing and information technologies

and the legal issues arising therefrom.

It was Mr. Raifman’s work in the capital markets and the technology field

that led him to found Mediaplex, Inc. (Mediaplex). Mr. Raifman served as

president, CEO, and outside legal counsel of Mediaplex, and in each role he was

compensated by way of stock and options.

Mrs. Raifman graduated from Barnard College, where she received a

bachelor of arts degree in English. She subsequently earned master’s degrees in

both business administration and urban planning from the University of California,

Los Angeles. Mrs. Raifman, like her husband, experienced success in the

corporate world, where she was an executive in marketing and promotions for a

number of public companies before later taking a similar role at Mediaplex.

In the fourth quarter of 1999 Mr. Raifman guided Mediaplex’s initial public

offering. Mediaplex shares debuted to significant market demand and were at one

point valued as high as $104 per share. At that time the Raifmans owned roughly
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[*7] 46.5% of Mediaplex, and as a result of the market’s valuation of Mediaplex,

the couple’s wealth was significantly bolstered during that initial offering period. 

The Raifmans, however, were unable to immediately capitalize on Mediaplex’s

success as their holdings were restricted and not readily marketable. Shortly after

Mediaplex went public, the internet and technology markets tumbled, and as a

result the per-share value of Mediaplex stock dropped below a dollar.

In October 2001 Valueclick, Inc., a competing internet advertising firm,

purchased Mediaplex. As a result of that purchase, approximately 2 million of the

Raifmans’ Mediaplex shares were converted to interests in Valueclick. Valueclick

retained Mr. Raifman’s services as a member of the Valueclick board of directors

and, as part of his compensation for performing in this role, provided him over

600,000 nonqualified options for the purchase of Valueclick stock.

By 2003 the couple’s personal and professional lives began to evolve: Mrs.

Raifman had left the workforce, and Mr. Raifman had resigned from his position

on the Valueclick board. In tendering his resignation Mr. Raifman exercised his

nonqualified stock options, purchasing 668,363 shares of Valueclick stock at

$1.22 per share. As the market price at that time was roughly $3.43 per share, the

Raifmans realized ordinary income of $2.21 per share, or $1,476,480 total.
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[*8] Mr. Raifman did not consult with any professional advisers or tax

professionals before exercising his nonqualified options.

B. Objectives

Following the exercise of the Valueclick options, the Raifmans wished to

manage their wealth in a sustainable manner that would generate an income stream

sufficient to sustain their then-current lifestyle for the remainder of their lives. To

this end, the Raifmans envisioned the assembly of a portfolio that would function

as their personal “endowment”, providing them annual disposable income of

approximately $400,000 net of all expenses and taxes and generating 10% annual

growth. The Raifmans were aware, however, of the fact that nearly all of their

wealth was concentrated in Valueclick stock. Informed by their earlier experience

with Mediaplex, the Raifmans knew that a portfolio composed of positions

concentrated in a single company posed a hazard to one’s wealth and that to

manage their wealth in a manner sufficient to meet their objectives their

investment portfolio required diversity.

The Raifmans began to seek help in developing their course of action. 

Initially they turned to family friend and neighbor Steve Glaser. Mr. Glaser was a

former auditor who was operating a catering company while moonlighting as a

financial consultant. Mr. Glaser informed the Raifmans that they would need to
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[*9] initially fund their “endowment” with, at minimum, $10 million. Mr. Glaser

possessed neither the means nor wherewithal to deliver them the substance of their

objectives, but believed he knew someone that did possess such ability and means:

Joe Ramos.

Both Mr. Glaser and Mr. Ramos had previously worked for Arthur

Andersen, where Mr. Glaser had supervised Mr. Ramos’ work as an auditor. Mr.

Ramos was a licensed certified public accountant (C.P.A.) during his employment

at Arthur Andersen, but by summer 2003 his career trajectory had turned toward

the securities brokerage and financial planning industries. Although Mr. Ramos

had allowed his C.P.A. licence to lapse, he was a certified financial planner and

operated his own investment advising firm: Ramos Financial d.b.a. Private

Capital Management (Ramos Financial). Mr. Glaser knew that Mr. Ramos’

financial planning practice catered to high net worth individuals and used unique

means and methods for meeting client objectives. For these reasons Mr. Glasser

recommended that the Raifmans meet with Mr. Ramos.

While Mr. Ramos independently owned and operated Ramos Financial, he

was also a “managing director”--an affiliate or, functionally, a franchisee--of the

Private Consulting Group (PCG). PCG was an investment advisory and securities

brokerage firm founded by Robert Keys in the late nineties. Robert Keys designed
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[*10] PCG to cater to the interests of high net worth individuals and did so by

offering, in addition to standard brokerage and advising services, access to

designer opportunities for the empowerment of one’s “true wealth”. Notably,

PCG provided its clients access to numerous opportunities that enabled clients to

“reduce, defer, and in some cases avoid” tax and to transform these tax efficiencies

into additional sources of income, wealth, and equity.

7

7To this end, PCG offered a variety of tax efficiency strategies each tailored

to address the spectrum of issues that PCG had found to routinely cause client

concern. For the client interested in liquidating appreciated stock, PCG offered

tax-efficient methods of asset monetization that could convert the client’s “paper

profits” to currency. For the client concerned with retirement, PCG offered access

to a “tax-to-equity conversion” plan designed to recover the client’s income tax

paid for prior years and place that recovered tax into “exclusive vehicles” to fund

the client’s retirement. For the client concerned about estate tax and asset

protection, PCG offered access to leaders in the field of establishing offshore

“tax-advantaged” vehicles designed to protect an individual’s wealth from

“unscrupulous creditors and frivolous lawsuits” and minimize if not eliminate tax.

Should these strategies appear suspect to skeptical potential clients, PCG

offered comfort, noting that “many” of its true wealth strategies had received a

“should” or “more likely than not” tax opinion from a “major” accounting firm or

law firm. Additionally, PCG boasted that the “wealth design” professionals in its

affiliated network--advisers, lawyers, and accountants--were intimately familiar

with successfully implementing PCG’s true wealth strategies, and would be at the

immediate disposal of PCG, its franchisees, and their clients as necessary.
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[*11] C. Mr. Ramos and His Plans

1. The Derivium Program

Before meeting the Raifmans, Mr. Ramos had been briefed by Mr. Glaser

with respect to the Raifmans’ objectives. Accordingly, Mr. Ramos prepared a

customized presentation identifying the strategies he believed best suited to

provide the desired results. In July 2003 Mr. Ramos, armed with this presentation

and his PCG-affiliate marketing materials, met with the Raifmans and pitched to

them a variety of proposals and investing strategies that ranged from the

conservative to the nontraditional. Mr. Ramos reviewed each proposal in detail

with Mr. Raifman and Mr. Glaser, and the three collaborated in weighing the risks

and rewards of each proposed strategy. Of these Ramos proposals, Mr. Raifman

was particularly intrigued by a nontraditional “loan”-based strategy proposed by

Mr. Ramos: the 90% stock “loan” program (Derivium

8

 program).

Mr. Ramos was introduced to the Derivium program through his affiliation

with PCG. Derivium was one of PCG’s strategic alliance partners, and

8Derivium Capital, LLC, Derivium USA, Bancroft Ventures, Witco

Services, Ltd., and Optech, Ltd., were entities directly related to Charles Cathcart

and were the brand names under which Mr. Cathcart peddled the 90% stock loan

program. See Grayson Consulting, Inc. v. Wachovia Sec., LLC (In re Derivium

Capital, LLC), 716 F.3d 355, 359 (4th Cir. 2013); General Holding, Inc. v.

Cathcart, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 130777, at *12-*14 (D.S.C. July 29, 2009). For

clarity we refer to all as Derivium.
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[*12] implementing the Derivium program’s asset monetization strategy was

integral to effecting a tax-efficient, true wealth optimization plan for PCG’s

clients.

The Derivium program was tailored toward individuals, such as the

Raifmans, who held concentrated positions in a single marketable stock and

wished to generate liquidity without triggering a taxable event. The Derivium

program facilitated this monetization of stock by “lending” program participants

up to 90% of their stock’s fair market value. In return participants would

surrender to Derivium the ostensibly leveraged stock as “collateral” and would

accrue interest on the loan principal over the life of the loan.

9

 Participants were

prohibited from making any payments before loan maturity and, similarly,

Derivium was prohibited from calling the loan before maturity. Most importantly,

the loans were nonrecourse to the participant.

Because a Derivium loan was nonrecourse, a participant had no personal

liability for principal or interest and could instead choose--for example, should the

9Accordingly, the terms of the program agreement provided Derivium the

unfettered right and power to “assign, transfer, pledge, repledge, hypothecate,

rehypothecate, lend, encumber, short sell, and/or sell outright some or all of” the

collateral during the loan term.

To the extent relevant, the record before us establishes that Derivium’s

hedging strategy consisted of investing in startups founded or run by individuals

related to the principals of Derivium. These startups eventually failed.
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[*13] value of the participant’s stock drop over the agreement’s term--to default

and cede the collateral to Derivium. Alternatively, upon maturity of the loan,

participants could pay their balance due and request return of their collateral, or

renew and refinance the loan for an additional term in order to monetize any

appreciation of the collateral that occurred during the initial loan term. (We will

refer collectively to these three choices as the alternatives to payment.)

Mr. Raifman and Mr. Glaser recognized that the Derivium program featured

an inherent risk, specifically, the sustainability of its operations and its ability to

perform on its potential obligations related to the Raifmans’ alternatives to

payment. Mr. Ramos explained that he, too, was initially skeptical with respect to

Derivium’s proprietary hedging “strategy” and readily admitted he was not privy

to any specific details or mechanics of Derivium’s proprietary hedging strategy,

but he noted that, all sustainability risks considered, the present value of the tax

savings and rate arbitrage

10

 promised by the Derivium program functionally

eliminated the Raifmans’ exposure to risk.

10That is, these presumably tax-free loan proceeds would enable the

Raifmans to currently monetize 90 cents on the fair market value dollar of their

Valueclick stock, far better than the estimated 75 cents of the same resulting from

a market sale.
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[*14] Although the Raifmans chose to implement a diverse set of strategies to

achieve their objectives, they ultimately also chose to participate in a series of

Derivium transactions in order to jump-start their planning.

Before engaging in their first Derivium transaction, the Raifmans directed

Mr. Ramos and Mr. Glaser to meet an estate planning attorney and C.P.A. with

whom the Raifmans had previously worked, to solicit his opinion with respect to

 the claimed tax benefits of the Derivium program.

11

 The attorney declined to

provide them with his approval of the Derivium transaction’s purported tax

characterization but skeptically recommended that, should the Raifmans choose to

participate in the Derivium program, they limit the extent of their participation and

execute these transactions in a piecemeal fashion.

The Raifmans sought no further legal or tax advice with respect to the

Derivium program and never met or otherwise engaged with any agent,

representative, or other employee of Derivium.

In August 2003, roughly a month after first meeting Mr. Ramos and hearing

his initial pitch, the Raifmans decided to go forward with their first Derivium

11The record appears to indicate that this attorney was Arnold Zippel, whom

the Raifmans had previously engaged in order to establish a trust. The record

contains no further facts with respect to the Raifmans’ relationship with Mr.

Zippel.
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[*15] transaction and transferred 159,000 shares of Valueclick in exchange for

$1,260,336, an amount representing 90% of that stock’s fair market value.

On September 4, 2003, the Raifmans formally retained Mr. Ramos as their

investment adviser. Later that month the Raifmans engaged in their second

Derivium transaction, this time exchanging 161,000 shares of Valueclick for

$1,362,804, an amount representing 90% of the stock’s fair market value.

In July 2004 the Raifmans entered into a third Derivium transaction by

transferring 300,000 shares of Valueclick in exchange for $2,810,476, an amount

representing 86% of that stock’s fair market value.12

In November 2004 the Raifmans engaged in their final Derivium

transaction, this time exchanging 200,000 shares of Valueclick for $2,160,267.

12The Raifmans executed this Derivium transaction through their wholly

owned Cayman Islands entity, Helicon. This Derivium transaction was part of an

offshore tax-advantaged asset protection plan arranged through Mr. Ramos by Tim

Scrantom, a PCG-affiliated wealth-design professional and attorney.

The Raifmans organized Helicon and contributed to that entity 300,000

shares of Valueclick stock. The Raifmans then caused Helicon to engage in a

Derivium transaction and route the proceeds of that transaction to a domestic

entity, Khronos Capital, Inc. (Khronos). Khronos then lent the Raifmans

$2,795,000; in exchange, to secure this loan, the Raifmans provided Khronos a

deed of trust over their home. The Raifmans subsequently routed this money back

to Helicon, along with the proceeds of a more conventional home equity loan

provided by Wells Fargo.
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[*16] 2. The ClassicStar Program

During his initial July meetings with the Raifmans, Mr. Ramos undertook a

review of the Raifmans’ 2003 tax items and the income tax returns they had filed

for years past. From this review Mr. Ramos ascertained that the exercise of Mr.

Raifman’s nonqualified Valueclick options exposed the Raifmans to a potential

$405,670 income tax liability for the 2003 tax year. His discovery of this potential

liability led Mr. Ramos to propose that the Raifmans explore potential

“tax-to-equity” strategies that might enable them to defer recognition of this

ordinary income and allow them to recapture income tax paid for years past.

Mr. Ramos began to introduce the Raifmans to a series of his favored taxto-equity strategies, notably the ClassicStar mare leasing program. The

ClassicStar program offered individuals an opportunity to enter the thoroughbred

horse breeding and racing businesses by enabling them to lease the reproductive

capacity of ClassicStar’s mares for the duration of a thoroughbred breeding

season. During the term of the lease ClassicStar would mate these leased mares,

and any resulting foals would become the property of the participating lessee.

Although ClassicStar disclaimed the notion that past results were indicative

or a guaranty of future performance, its promotional materials boasted that the sale

of any resulting foal typically yielded participants a significant return on their 
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[*17] investment. But more important than those returns were the ostensible tax

benefits ClassicStar claimed would result from participation in its program. 

Notably, ClassicStar promoted its lease fees as a fully deductible farm business

expense that could shield current-year income from taxation and, should that

deduction exceed the participant’s current-year income, could be carried back to

recover tax paid for prior years. ClassicStar noted that this shielding of ordinary

income in the current year provided a future tax benefit to participants upon the

sale of any resulting foals, as those gains realized would be taxed only at the

preferential capital gains rate. As an alternative, ClassicStar also offered

participants the opportunity to perpetually defer tax by way of like-kind

exchanges.

ClassicStar participants were given a “Due Diligence” booklet that provided

them with guidance for drafting business plans and participation logs and

contained a DVD and a set of tax opinions from accounting firm Karren, Hendrix

& Associates, P.C. (Karren), and law firm Handler, Thayer & Duggan, LLC

(Handler), each explaining the tax benefits of the program. However, both

ClassicStar’s marketing materials and the due diligence booklet encouraged all

participants to seek independent tax advice with respect to the benefits that might

arise from participation in the ClassicStar program.
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[*18] Mr. Ramos calculated that if the Raifmans purchased $3.4 million of mare

leases, then they could completely offset the entire tax liability arising from Mr.

Raifman’s option exercise and also recapture approximately $700,000 of income

tax they had paid for prior years. Mr. Ramos explained to the Raifmans his belief

that the only risk posed, in this respect, was in establishing that the Raifmans’

participation in the program constituted a bona fide business venture.13 Mr.

Ramos provided the Raifmans a copy of the due diligence booklet for their review. 

The Raifmans reviewed these materials and decided to participate in the

ClassicStar program.

On November 24, 2003, the Raifmans executed a letter of understanding

with ClassicStar. In the weeks that followed they paid ClassicStar $3.4 million to

participate in the program.

14 On January 2, 2004, ClassicStar provided the

13Mr. Ramos received a commission from ClassicStar for placing clients

with the program. Mr. Raifman was aware of this fact. Mr. Raifman discussed the

possibility of referring potential clients to Mr. Ramos for the purpose of placing

them with ClassicStar and splitting any commissions arising therefrom.

14From December 15-19, roughly three weeks after signing the letter of

understanding formalizing their participation in the ClassicStar program, Mrs.

Raifman attended a ClassicStar seminar in St. Croix where the topic of discussion

was primarily the tax implications of having a horse breeding business. Mrs.

Raifman’s contemporaneous notes from these seminars suggest the seminar’s

predominant topic was how to generate material participation in order to ensure

the preservation of a tax deduction for the current year.

(continued...)
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[*19] Raifmans with their mare leasing agreements and a breeding schedule, all

backdated to reflect execution on December 31, 2003. The Raifmans’ leases

began retroactive to December 1, 2003, and would expire July 1, 2004, and

projected that any resulting foals would be delivered in spring 2005. The

Raifmans’ leases explicitly warned that the lessees (i.e., the Raifmans) bore all

economic risk of loss should their leases fail to result in a foal and that by entering

into this leasing agreement the lessees represented that they had evaluated and

fully acknowledge the substantial financial risk inherent to participation in the

mare leasing program. Before engaging in the program the Raifmans never met,

or otherwise discussed the program with, any ClassicStar employee, agent, or

other representative, nor did they seek legal or tax counsel with respect to their

participation therein.

During the first quarter of 2004 Mr. Ramos urged the Raifmans to secure a

personalized tax opinion with respect to their participation in ClassicStar, and the

14

(...continued)

Upon her return, the Raifmans assembled their participation log for 2003. It

reported that they engaged in 139 hours of activity with respect to their

participation in the ClassicStar program. A total of 62 hours was attributed to preparticipation diligence work (e.g., visiting local California farms and reviewing

the due diligence booklet). A total of 24 hours was attributed to reading “Blood

Horse” magazine. A total of 39 hours was attributed to Mrs. Raifman’s attendence

at the St. Croix seminar. A total of 14 hours was attributed to the couple’s viewing of six online horse breeding presentations on December 30 and 31, 2003.
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[*20] Raifmans directed Mr. Ramos to do so. Mr. Ramos did so by contacting

Handler, the law firm that had provided the generic tax opinion included in the

ClassicStar due diligence binder. On March 24, 2004, Handler provided the

Raifmans with a generic tax opinion, nearly identical to the one in the ClassicStar

due diligence binder. This tax opinion opened with an engagement letter

disclosing to the Raifmans Handler’s conflicts of interest, notably that Handler

served as general counsel to ClassicStar and that ClassicStar had paid for the

production of this “personalized” tax opinion.

By July 2004 only two of the Raifmans’ leased mares had become pregnant,

and their leasehold on their remaining mares had expired.

15

In January 2005 representatives of ClassicStar contacted Mr. Raifman to

propose a trade: The Raifmans would exchange their claim to the two in utero

15

In November 2004, months after the Raifmans’ mare leases had expired,

ClassicStar issued the Raifmans a revised schedule of their mare breeding pairs. 

The revised schedule reduced the number of leases that the Raifmans had

purportedly held and revised the identities of the breeding pairs associated with

the Raifmans’ failed mare leases. The revised schedule also adjusted the lease and

breeding costs for the Raifmans’ two pregnant mares. The revised schedule did

not extend any leasing periods.

The record does not adequately reveal what precipitated this revision. 

Neither does it explain how this revised schedule might have otherwise altered the

Raifmans’ rights as lessees as, again, at the time of modification the Raifmans’

leases had expired. We observe that this revision occurred, roughly, at the same

time the Raifmans finalized and filed their 2003 tax return in November 2004.
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[*21] foals, as well as their other expired, unfruitful leases, for the rights to 25

quarter horse pairs to be bred in spring 2005, with resulting foal delivery projected

for spring 2006. Additionally, ClassicStar offered to make incentive payments to

the Raifmans and provide them an option to “put” all resulting foals to ClassicStar

at a guaranteed price of $4,080,000. (We will refer collectively to this transaction

as the quarter horse swap.)

Mr. Raifman directed ClassicStar to contact Mr. Ramos, and ClassicStar did

so. On January 4, 2005, Mr. Ramos contacted the Raifmans and expressed

enthusiasm for the swap and noted that, in order to ensure that the tax advantages

of the swap would be honored, the Raifmans ought to keep up their “active”

participation.

16

On January 7, 2005, the Raifmans’ executed the quarter horse swap

agreement.

17

3. The Ramos Investments

The Raifmans turned over the proceeds from their various Derivium

transactions to Mr. Ramos, who they then entrusted with managing that money in

16The parties considered this a like-kind exchange.

17The record indicates, however, that the Raifmans did not provide

ClassicStar with this executed agreement until sometime after February 22, 2005.
- 22 -

[*22] a manner sufficient to meet their objectives. The Raifmans were Mr.

Ramos’ largest clients, and he afforded them the attention such a status deserved,

meeting with them regularly to discuss potential investments and to review the

performance of their portfolio.

a. The Secured Lending Fund

Mr. Ramos recommended that the Raifmans invest in the Secured Lending

Fund (SLF). SLF was a fund organized by Robert Keys, the CEO of PCG,18

 and

Lee Brower, a PCG affiliate. SLF was in the business of making “hard money” or

“bridge” loans to real estate developers who had exhausted, or otherwise could not

secure, financing from traditional lenders. Through a related company, SLF

would vet potential borrowers and the associated underlying property. However,

SLF typically eschewed formal appraisals of the underlying property and would

instead look only to past appraisals or rely on informal representations made by

real estate professionals familiar with the property and the surrounding area.

SLF did not lend directly but instead facilitated its lending operations

through a series of limited liability companies (sub-SLFs). Each sub-SLF would

18By late 2003, although he retained ownership and his position as PCG’s

CEO, Robert Keys’ primary focus was on his personal book of clients and

investment opportunities; he had delegated most of the company’s day-to-day

operations to other PCG executives.
- 23 -

[*23] provide its borrower any requested funding in exchange for a security

interest in the borrower’s underlying real estate development. Generally, each

sub-SLF was funded by selling its debt to third parties (sub-SLF investors). SubSLF investors would receive a note promising above-market yields and purporting

to make a “collateral assignment” of the sub-SLF’s security interest in the

underlying real estate development. Notwithstanding the nomenclature, this

collateral assignment did not convey, nor entitle sub-SLF investors to receipt of or

the right to record, any security instrument; the collateral assignment did not

purport to convey to any sub-SLF investors a deed of trust, mortgage, or any other

recognizable security interest. Instead, the intended function of this purported

collateral assignment was to establish that each loan made by a sub-SLF was itself

secured and to represent to sub-SLF investors that, if necessary, the sub-SLF could

foreclose on and sell the underlying real estate development in order to repay its

investors.

Mr. Ramos erroneously believed this meant that each note holder’s

investment was a “secured” interest in the underlying real estate development. 

Mr. Ramos represented his erroneous belief when selling Mr. Raifman on

investing with SLF. Mr. Ramos presented Mr. Raifman with the private
- 24 -

[*24] placement memorandum (PPM) describing the SLF operation.

19

 The

Raifmans invested approximately $1.5 million in sub-SLF notes, which they left

under the management of Mr. Ramos.

20

19The SLF PPM described the purported “collateral assignment” as security

for the sub-SLF notes, as follows:

Although the Notes will be limited recourse obligations of * * *

[SLF, and each sub-SLF], each Note will also be secured by one or

more collateral assignments made by * * * [SLF and each sub-SLF]. 

Each collateral assignment will assign to * * * [investors] on a pari

passu and pro rated basis, all of the collateral that * * * [SLF and

each sub-SLF] receive[] from * * * [their borrowers].

Each sub-SLF borrower

will pledge real estate in addition to other acceptable collateral to

secure Bridge Loans made by * * * [SLF and each sub-SLF]. * * *

[SLF and each sub-SLF] will collaterally assign all of the collateral

that * * * [SLF and each sub-SLF] receive[] from * * * [their

borrowers].

The PPM, with respect to the purpose and intent of the collateral

assignment, is equally abstruse, providing that the collateral assignment “is

intended to make * * * [investors] secured creditors of * * * [SLF and each subSLF] in the unlikely event of a * * * [SLF or sub-SLF] bankruptcy.”

20Mr. Ramos established the Real Return Fund in late 2005 as a limited

partnership. Generally, Mr. Ramos would request that his clients contribute those

assets under his management into the fund because this would benefit all his

clients as the collectivization of risk reduced the exposure of each individual

client. Upon contribution, each of his clients would become a partner in the

partnership. The Raifmans agreed to this collectivization of risk and put

approximately $2.16 million of their Ramos-managed investments and other assets

(continued...)
- 25 -

[*25] Ultimately, because of the high-risk nature of the loans made and a

downturn in the real estate market, the sub-SLFs were forced to foreclose on

almost all of the real estate developments to which they had extended loans. 

These foreclosures, however, were often mired in dispute and rarely resulted in

investor repayment.

b. A Stroke of Genius: Prints and Advertising Debt

Mr. Ramos also presented the Raifmans with an opportunity to invest in

debt issued for the print and advertising campaign (P&A) of a feature-length

motion picture, Bobby Jones: A Stroke of Genius. Although he lacked any

familiarity with motion picture financing and understood that this debt was

unsecured and risky, Mr. Ramos felt this investment was a “can’t miss”

opportunity as the debt carried a 12% interest rate and featured a back-end

“sweetener” that promised P&A investors an equity stake in the film should it

succeed at the box office.21 Mr. Ramos informed the Raifmans that both he and

Mr. Glaser had personally invested in the P&A debt. Mr. Ramos provided Mr.

20

(...continued)

into the Real Return Fund. For convenience, we distinguish between SLF

investments and the Real Return Fund only where necessary.

21

Ideally, Mr. Ramos noted, the film only needed to gross $10 million in

order to ensure that investors received the desired results.
- 26 -

[*26] Raifman with the private placement offering materials for the P&A debt. In

March 2004 the Raifmans agreed to purchase $400,000 of notes issued by P&A.

The film underperformed at the box office. On January 6, 2006, Mr. Ramos

wrote to his clients to inform them that he considered the P&A debt worthless and

to acknowledge errors in his judgment. Accordingly, Mr. Ramos refunded to his

clients all management fees he had collected with respect to the P&A debt and

recommended that his clients write off their entire investment.

II. The Raifmans’ 2003 Return and Subsequent Audit

A. Shopping for an Adviser

In early 2004 the Raifmans directed Mr. Ramos to meet with Tim Jorstad,

their longtime C.P.A., to discuss the tax effects of their participation in the

ClassicStar program. Following that meeting the Raifmans informed Mr. Ramos

that they had dismissed Mr. Jorstad, and they requested that Mr. Ramos refer them

to another C.P.A to begin preparing their 2003 tax return. Mr. Ramos referred the

Raifmans to, and the Raifmans subsequently engaged, Don Shaw, a licensed

C.P.A. and the father-in-law of one of Mr. Ramos’ employees.

22

22The Raifmans hired Mr. Shaw approximately four months after they had

engaged in the ClassicStar program. Mr. Shaw’s contract with the Raifmans

specifically limits the scope of his duties and responsibilities as their return

preparer.
- 27 -

[*27] Following a conversation with Mr. Ramos and agents of ClassicStar,23 Mr.

Shaw accepted the representation that the Raifmans were engaged in a bona fide

horse breeding trade or business, despite lacking any particular belief that the

Raifmans had any business purpose for participating in the ClassicStar program

beyond capturing the program’s tax benefits. Accordingly, Mr. Shaw reported the

Raifmans ClassicStar buy-in as a deductible $3.4 million agribusiness expense for

tax year 2003.

Relying on Mr. Ramos’ representation that the Derivium transactions

constituted bona fide loans, Mr. Shaw did not report as income any of the proceeds

received therefrom, and for the same reason he did not review any of the related

contracts or other relevant materials. Mr. Shaw proceeded in a similar fashion

with respect to deducting Derivium interest expenses on the Raifmans’ tax returns

for the years at issue.

On November 16, 2004, Mr. Shaw completed the Raifmans’ return for tax

year 2003, and Mr. Ramos informed the Raifmans that they should expect a

prompt Federal income tax refund of half a million dollars.

23Mr. Shaw testified that he principally and directly dealt with Mr. Ramos--

“probably 90 percent” of the time--with respect to any matters related to the

Raifmans’ returns.
- 28 -

[*28] Mr. Shaw remained the Raifmans’ return preparer through tax year 2014. 

Mr. Shaw used the same approach to coordinating and completing those returns as

he had with the 2003 return.

B. Auditing the Raifmans’ 2003 Tax Return

In 2005 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began an examination of the

Raifmans’ tax return for 2003. The IRS initially selected the Raifmans’ return for

examination because Mr. Shaw failed to report any tax consequence associated

with the exercise of Mr. Raifman’s nonqualified Valueclick options; once the

examination began, however, the IRS soon expanded its scope to include review

of the Raifmans’ participation in the Derivium and ClassicStar programs.

Mr. Shaw initially represented the Raifmans during this examination and

closely coordinated his representation with Mr. Ramos. As the examination

progressed, Mr. Shaw and Mr. Ramos became increasingly concerned with

preserving the treatment of the Raifmans’ participation in the ClassicStar program

and their associated multiyear refund claim. Accordingly, Mr. Shaw began to

coordinate directly with ClassicStar representatives. Specifically, as the

examination continued, the IRS began to question Mr. Shaw with respect to the

Raifmans’ quarter horse swap. Earlier, ClassicStar had directed Mr. Shaw to

refrain from providing the auditor any documentation or information with respect
- 29 -

[*29] to the quarter horse swap, in the hope of preserving its treatment as a likekind exchange. Sensing that the auditor’s interest in this issue could further

complicate the examination, Mr. Shaw contacted ClassicStar to develop a

coordinated response to the IRS’ now-expanding inquiry. The ClassicStar

solution, however, led to Mr. Shaw’s routinely presenting the IRS examiner with

fabricated and otherwise uncorroborated reports with respect to the Raifmans’

purported horse breeding business.

Subsequently, at the recommendation and, initially,

24

 the expense of

ClassicStar, the Raifmans engaged a law firm to represent them before the IRS

examiner. The examination of the Raifmans’ 2003 tax return closed when the

Raifmans entered into a closing agreement

25

 wherein they conceded liability for a

$1,025,640 deficiency in tax and agreed that their participation in the ClassicStar

program was a nondeductible expense.

The examination of their returns for the years at issue, continued, however. 

On November 21, 2013, respondent issued a notice of deficiency determining the

24ClassicStar ceased to pay for the Raifmans’ legal representation sometime

in mid-August 2006. At that time the Raifmans independently retained the same

firm to continue to represent them before the IRS.

25The Raifmans’ failure to pay the tax assessed pursuant to this closing

agreement gave rise to their associated CDP case, discussed supra note 2.
- 30 -

[*30] Raifmans had income tax deficiencies for the years at issue. The

deficiencies reflected, as relevant here, respondent’s disallowance of interest

expense deductions related to Derivium transactions for tax years 2004-06,

deductions for additional ClassicStar expenses for tax year 2004, a theft loss

deduction exceeding $15 million for tax year 2008, and a determination that the

Raifmans had underreported their capital gain income for tax year 2004 from their

participation in the Derivium program.

III. Collapse and Aftermath

A. Derivium

As the examination of the Raifmans’ 2003 return continued, their first

Derivium transaction neared “maturity”. Derivium contacted the Raifmans to

notify them of this approaching maturity date and to remind them of their possible

alternatives to repayment. At that time, September 2006, Valueclick had

appreciated significantly, to the extent that the Raifmans realized that the value of

the shares they had originally transferred now exceeded the “principal” and

“interest” due on their “loan”. Accordingly, the Raifmans directed Mr. Ramos to

pursue their available alternatives to payment, specifically to request that

Derivium return to them an amount of Valueclick shares equivalent to the excess

of appreciation of the “collateralized” Valueclick stock over their balance due.
- 31 -

[*31] Derivium, however, failed to honor this request. Derivium also failed to

honor the Raifmans’ secondary request: to extend the term of the agreement, to

“refinance” in exchange for cash proceeds equal to the as-yet uncaptured

appreciation of the “collateralized” Valueclick stock. The Derivium-related

entities were regularly collapsing or dissolving.

26

On March 5, 2010, Mr. Cathcart, the principal of the Derivium program,

was permanently enjoined from promoting it, as it constituted an abusive tax

shelter.

Following the complete collapse of Derivium and all associated entities, the

Raifmans, joined by a number of other former Derivium participants, attempted to

sue Wachovia for its role in facilitating the transfer of participants’ shares to

Derivium. On March 31, 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of

California dismissed the participants’ claims. In May of 2016, the Court of

Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the judgment of the District Court.

26A year earlier, in September 2005, Derivium had filed a voluntary petition

for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. On October 10, 2005, Noel Murphy, Don

Shaw’s son-in-law, brought to Mr. Ramos’ attention a Forbes article detailing the

collapse-in-progress of Derivium and its related entities.
- 32 -

[*32] B. ClassicStar

In February 2006 Government agents raided the offices of ClassicStar on

the suspicion that ClassicStar was in the business of operating abusive tax

shelters.

27

 

Meanwhile, the IRS examination of the Raifmans’ participation in the

ClassicStar program was expanding. Mr. Raifman began pressing Mr. Ramos to

pursue the incentive payments promised in the quarter horse swap and to further

pressure ClassicStar to provide the Raifmans a refund of their original $3.4 million

participation fee. On June 20, 2006, ClassicStar wired the Raifmans $70,000 as

part of the incentives payments arising from the quarter horse swap. Aware that

the Raifmans’ IRS examiner was beginning to expand her inquiry to include

review of the quarter horse swap, Mr. Ramos also began demanding that

ClassicStar provide documentation, specifically proof of birth and registration,

with respect to the horses associated with the swap. ClassicStar failed to produce

27The record suggests that the Raifmans discovered that ClassicStar was

under investigation only when they were contacted by the Department of Justice

(DOJ) in August of 2006. Pursuant to that initial contact, the Raifmans were

offered immunity from prosecution for any Federal crime, on the basis of

statements they provided pursuant to an immunity agreement, including but not

limited to violations of secs. 7201 and 7206, criminal tax evasion, and criminal

false statements to the taxing authorities, respectively.

The Raifmans accepted these offers of immunity roughly a year later, in

September 2007.
- 33 -

[*33] this information. ClassicStar and its attorneys did, however, continue to

work with both Mr. Ramos and the Raifmans to arrive at an acceptable settlement

to compensate the Raifmans for ClassicStar’s failures.

A number of the principals of the ClassicStar program were indicted for,

and pleaded guilty to, conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Government through their

operation and promotion of the ClassicStar program.

In a related civil lawsuit, the Raifmans and numerous other ClassicStar

participants were collectively awarded damages in excess of $50 million, resulting

from ClassicStar’s fraud. See West Hills Farms, LLC v. ClasicStar Farms, Inc. (In

re ClassicStar Mare Lease Litig.), 727 F.3d 473 (6th Cir. 2013). Pursuant to that

disposition the Raifmans, between 2008 and 2012, settled a number of associated

claims against other parties who had directly facilitated or aided in the ClassicStar

program’s fraud, receiving settlements of $50,000 from Handler in 2008, $20,754

from Karen Hendrix in 2009, and $918,975, collectively, from GasStar,

ClassicStar’s parent company, and associated individuals.

C. Mr. Ramos and Mr. Keys

As the examination of their returns continued into July 2007, the Raifmans

dismissed Mr. Ramos, generally, from his investment advisory duties. However,

they did not completely remove their assets from his management, believing there
- 34 -

[*34] was still value in allowing their investments in SLF to mature; accordingly,

they retained Mr. Ramos to continue managing such until 2008, when Mr. Ramos

resigned. At the time of his resignation Mr. Ramos informed the Raifmans that it

might take as long as five years to unwind and liquidate their remaining

investments because of issues with particular assets, but most notably because of

tax concerns arising from the Raifmans’ offshore investment vehicles.

In September 2007 the Raifmans entered arbitration with Mr. Ramos, PCG

and Mr. Keys, alleging, among other things, numerous breaches of fiduciary duty,

including self-dealing and nondisclosure; breach of contract; negligence; fraud;

and misrepresentation. After 18 days of hearings, the arbitrator determined that

Mr. Ramos had failed to adequately disclose referral fees and commissions he had

received from the operators and promoters of many of the investments and

programs that he had sold the Raifmans and the fee sharing aspects of his

relationship with PCG. The arbitrator also determined that Robert Keys, in his

role as CEO of PCG, had a conflict of interest in that he encouraged PCG and its

affiliates to promote investment vehicles he had founded or which would result in

the largest commissions to him personally.

28

28The arbitrator also laid out the deficiencies in Mr. Ramos’ comprehension

of the nature of the SLF notes in which he had encouraged the Raifmans to invest,

(continued...)
- 35 -

[*35] Accordingly, on September 23, 2009, the arbitrator ruled that Mr. Ramos

and PCG were liable for, among other things, breaching their fiduciary duties to

the Raifmans. The arbitrator did not, however, hold that Mr. Ramos and Mr. Keys

had committed common law fraud. Instead, owing to their breaches of duty and

care, the arbitrator held that they were liable for having worked a constructive

fraud on the Raifmans, as the arbitrator specifically found that neither Mr. Keys

nor Mr. Ramos acted with any intent to deceive or defraud the Raifmans. 

Accordingly, the arbitrator generally awarded the Raifmans damages arising from,

among other things, their participation in the ClassicStar ($5 million) and

Derivium ($7,500,000) programs and their investments in the P&A and SLF notes

($500,000 and $2,500,000, respectively). Mr. Ramos, Ramos Financial, Mr. Keys,

and PCG were held jointly and severally liable for those damages.

Shortly after the arbitrator delivered his decision, Mr. Ramos filed for

bankrupcy protection. The Raifmans intervened and secured a settlement

agreement with Mr. Ramos, wherein he promised to pay them $900,000 pursuant

28

(...continued)

and the deficiencies in SLF’s borrower vetting and loan issuance procedures. At

the time of the arbitration proceedings SLF had begun to foreclose on nearly all of

the properties for which it had extended loans. The record at arbitration revealed

that SLF had regularly failed to adequately evaluate the properties itself and had

insufficient capital to ensure it could adequately seize the troubled properties.
- 36 -

[*36] to the arbitration and agreed to testify on their behalf in any further actions

brought against Mr. Keys or in any further proceedings with the taxing authorities.

On November 19, 2009, the Raifmans filed a suit in the Superior Court of

California, County of San Francisco, naming as defendants, among others, Mr.

Keys, SLF, and related sub-SLF entities. The Raifmans alleged the defendants

had, among other things, perpetrated securities fraud and actual fraud. The

Raifmans moved to voluntarily dismiss this action on December 17, 2010.

On May 11, 2010, Mr. Keys filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Mr.

Keys subsequently pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering offenses

with respect to a $1.1 million loan he brokered between a longtime client and a

recent business associate, and bankruptcy fraud.

OPINION

I. The Theft Losses

A. The Nature of the Parties’ Contentions

The Raifmans do not dispute respondent’s determinations as set forth in the

notice of deficiency with respect to their participation in the Derivium and

ClassicStar programs. Instead, they argue that the facts and circumstances

surrounding their participation in those programs, as well as their investment in
- 37 -

[*37] the SLF notes, ought to entitle them to deduct theft losses for tax year

2008.

29

 The Raifmans argue a unique theory with respect to each loss. These

theories are as follows.

With respect to their Derivium transactions, the Raifmans argue that each

transaction was two separate transactions: the sale of their stock to Derivium, and

their purchase of an “option” to reacquire from Derivium an identical amount of

stock at maturity for a strike price equal to their balance due.30

 In this respect, the

Raifmans allege that Derivium’s failure to honor these “options” at the maturity of 

their first agreement, and Derivium’s subsequent collapse before the maturity of

their second and third agreements, constitute the theft of those options by false

pretenses. The Raifmans appear to specifically allege that they were intentionally

defrauded by Derivium’s principal, Mr. Cathcart.

29Although in their original 2008 return the Raifmans claimed a $15,160,607

theft loss, they now appear to claim only a $10,798,061 theft loss. This loss

comprises individual losses of $2,475,000 related to their participation in the

ClassicStar program, $3,750,000 related to their direct transactions with the

Derivium program, $2,638,977 related to their Derivium transaction routed

through Helicon, and $1,934,084 with respect to their investments in SLF notes

and as associated with the Real Return Fund.

30The Raifmans’ argument appears to rely on Calloway v. Commissioner,

135 T.C. 26 (2010), aff’d, 691 F.3d 1315 (11th Cir. 2012). There, this Court

characterized the alternatives to payment as being “at best” an “option” to

purchase from Derivium an equivalent amount of stock for a price equal to the

principal and accrued interest on the purported loan. Id. at 35-37.
- 38 -

[*38] With respect to ClassicStar, noting that respondent has conceded that an

actual theft occurred, the Raifmans allege that the ClassicStar program constituted

a “ponzi” scheme and seek to avail themselves of the safe harbor provisions

provided by Rev. Proc. 2009-20, 2009-14 I.R.B. 749.

With respect to their investments in SLF notes, the Raifmans allege that Mr.

Keys and other principals of SLF defrauded them by misrepresenting the nature of

their investment in SLF, notably that the notes did not convey to the Raifmans any

security interest in any underlying properties.

31

With respect to Derivium and SLF, respondent alleges that the Raifmans

failed to establish that an actual theft occurred, notably because the Raifmans have

failed to establish the criminal intent of Mr. Cathcart or Mr. Keys. With respect to

their participation in the ClassicStar program, respondent argues that the Raifmans

have failed to establish the appropriate amount of their theft loss and the

appropriate year of its deduction. Respondent additionally contends that the

Raifmans are ineligible for safe-harbor treatment under Rev. Proc. 2009-20, supra,

31The Raifmans do not allege privity with Mr. Keys or any other agent or

principal of SLF; rather they allege that the misrepresentations made by those

individuals to Mr. Ramos and subsequently communicated to the Raifmans by Mr.

Ramos, resulted in a theft by false pretenses.
- 39 -

[*39] because they do not constitute “qualified investors” and the ClassicStar

program does not constitute a “specified fraudulent arrangement”, as defined.

B. Theft Loss Analysis

Section 165 generally permits taxpayers to deduct against their ordinary

income the amount of any uncompensated loss resulting from theft for the year in

which the taxpayer sustains that loss. See sec. 165(a), (c), (e). To qualify for a

theft loss deduction, taxpayers must prove: (1) the occurrence of a theft, (2) the

amount of the theft loss, and (3) the year in which the taxpayers discover the theft

loss. Id. The taxpayer bears the burden of proving entitlement to a theft loss

deduction. Rule 142(a); Welch v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111, 115 (1933).

In order to ascertain whether theft has occurred, this Court applies the law

of the State where the loss was sustained. Bellis v. Commissioner, 540 F.2d 448,

449 (9th Cir. 1976), aff’g 61 T.C. 354 (1973). Because the alleged theft took

place in California, we apply California law. Under California Penal Code section

484, any person who shall “feloniously steal, take, carry, lead, or drive away the

personal property of another, * * * or who shall knowingly and designedly, by any

false or fraudulent representation or pretense, defraud any other person of money

* * * or real or personal property” will be held accountable for theft. Cal. Penal

Code sec. 484(a) (Deering 2000). While this statute endeavors to consolidate all
- 40 -

[*40] theft offenses within its terms, the State of California still recognizes that the

individual elements of each permutation of theft--such as larceny, false pretenses,

embezzlement--have remained unchanged. People v. Gonzales, 392 P.3d 437,

441-445 (Cal. 2017); People v. Ashley, 267 P.2d 271, 279 (Cal. 1954).

Insofar as the Raifmans allege theft through fraudulent misrepresentations,

they allege theft by false pretenses. Theft by false pretenses consists of three

conjunctive elements: (1) the perpetrator must, knowingly and with the specific

intent to defraud the property owner, (2) have made a false representation or

pretense which (3) materially influenced the owner to part with his or her property

in reliance on those representations. People v. Williams, 305 P.3d 1241, 1248

(Cal. 2013). Implicit in these elements is a relationship of privity between the

perpetrator and his or her victim. Crowell v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1986-

314.

32

32

In certain narrow circumstances a theft loss deduction has been allowed

where the taxpayer lacks privity with the alleged thief. See Boothe v.

Commissioner, 768 F.2d 1140 (9th Cir. 1985), rev’g 82 T.C. 804 (1984). The

Raifmans do not allege privity with Mr. Cathcart, Mr. Keys, or any other agent or

principal of Derivium or SLF. Instead, the Raifmans argue that our analysis ought

to look beyond privity and to apply a “feeder” theory to our theft loss analysis, as

suggested in Paine v. Commissioner, 63 T.C. 736 (1975), aff’d without published

opinion, 523 F.2d 1053 (5th Cir. 1975), and Jensen v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo.

1993-393, aff’d without published opinion, 72 F.3d 135 (9th Cir. 1995). As we

reach our holding on the question of intent, however, we need not and do not

(continued...)
- 41 -

[*41] Intent to defraud is a question of fact to be determined from all the

circumstances of the case and usually must be proven circumstantially. People v.

Fujita, 117 Cal. Rptr. 757, 765-766 (Ct. App. 1974). Courts must examine the

evidence to determine whether an alleged thief behaved in a manner consonant

with an intent to defraud; a record establishing a mere ordinary breach of contract

or fiduciary duty will be insufficient to support a finding of a party’s intent to

defraud. See Ashley, 267 P.2d at 265.

C. Derivium

The Raifmans argue they are entitled to a theft loss deduction arising from

their participation in the Derivium program. As the Raifmans see it, the alleged

theft relates to Derivium’s failure to honor the “options” arising from the

agreements’ alternatives to payment. To establish the requisite criminal intent

with respect to this theft claim, the Raifmans rely nearly exclusively on a

permanent injunction enjoining Mr. Cathcart, the Derivium principal, from

continuing to promote and operate that program. The District Court for the

Northern District of California entered this permanent injunction against Mr.

Cathcart pursuant to section 7408.

32

(...continued)

address the Raifmans’ “feeder” theory or otherwise analyze any issue pertaining to

matters of privity.
- 42 -

[*42] Section 7408 authorizes the Federal District Courts to enjoin individuals

who have engaged, as relevant here, in the promotion of abusive tax shelters when

it is shown that an individual organized or sold, or participated in the organization

or sale of, an arrangement, and made or caused to be made false statements

concerning the tax benefits to be derived from that arrangement while knowing, or

having reason to know, the falsity and materiality of those false statements. See,

e.g., United States v. Estate Pres. Servs., 202 F.3d 1093, 1098 (9th Cir. 2000).

We do not find this injunction, and the associated materials, to be

dispositive with respect to the Raifmans’ theft claim. While the injunction may be

highly probative with respect to Mr. Cathcart’s intent to develop and market an

abusive tax shelter, it does not follow that Mr. Cathcart conceived and

implemented the program “options”, the alternatives to payment, with the specific

intent to defraud the Raifmans, or any other participant of his tax shelter, of their

property.

33

33The Government was granted summary judgment with respect to the

falsity of the Derivium program’s purported tax benefits. Trial was to be held in

order to resolve, primarily, the disputed factual question of whether Mr. Cathcart

knowingly misrepresented those tax benefits. At trial he declined to contest this

remaining factual allegation. Accordingly, he was enjoined from promoting the

Derivium program or any other program similar thereto.
- 43 -

[*43] Rather the injunction gives rise to a strong inference that Mr. Cathcart’s

intent was to develop and market a tax shelter that might disguise sales as a

lending arrangement.

34

 In order to ensure that the sales would be honored as the

nonrecourse loans they purported to be, the transaction necessitated pro forma

documentation that would suggest the existence of bona fide indebtedness. 

Accordingly, Mr. Cathcart developed the “loan” agreements, specifically the

alternatives to payment at issue here, in a manner that he believed would provide

his program the veneer necessary to help it survive scrutiny and deliver his clients

the tax benefits he promised. The agreement and its terms, the alternatives to

payment, were part and parcel of the Derivium transaction’s nature as a disguised

sale.

To the extent we find the injunction and the other Derivium-related

materials indicative of any intent, we find only that Mr. Cathcart intended to

market a tax shelter and to aid and abet in the defrauding of the U.S. Treasury. On

the record before us, we do not find evidence sufficient to establish that he

intended to defraud any individual Derivium participant through a failure to

34The contracts clearly indicated to the participants that in turning over their

property to Derivium, they were transferring thereto all the benefits and burdens

of, and complete dominion over, the stock. The loan was nonrecourse to the

participant and could not be called before maturity. Similarly, the participants

were prohibited from prepaying any interest or principal.
- 44 -

[*44] perform on the program’s ill-conceived “options”, the alternatives to

payment. Accordingly, the Raifmans have failed to establish the requisite intent

necessary to sustain their Derivium-related theft claim.

35

D. Secured Lending Fund

The Raifmans argue they are entitled to a theft loss deduction arising from

their investment in SLF. The Raifmans allege that Mr. Keys misrepresented, and

caused others to intentionally misrepresent, the nature of the “collateral

assignment” integral to the sub-SLF notes and that Mr. Keys did so with the intent

of depriving investors of their money. To establish the requisite intent of Mr.

Keys, the Raifmans rely on the testimony of Mr. Ramos and an expert report. 

Mr. Ramos repeatedly testified that Mr. Keys lied to him with respect to the

nature of SLF and the associated collateral assignment. The weight of the entire

record, however, establishes that Mr. Keys had little contact with Mr. Ramos and

35The Raifmans have entered into the record an expert report purporting to

provide a valuation of these theoretical “options”, to establish the fair market

value thereof. Additionally, the Raifmans argue that they are entitled to a step-up

in basis because the Derivium transaction did not constitute a literal sale but rather

a “constructive sale” under sec. 1058. Because we decide the issue of theft on the

existence of intent, we decline to explore these aspects of the Raifmans’ claim. 

We observe, however, that respondent’s initial determination with respect to the

proper tax treatment of the Derivium transaction appears to have already

accounted for the 10% of the market value of their ValueClick stock which was

not monetized in the Derivium sale. See Calloway v. Commissioner, 135 T.C. at

53 (Halpern, J., concurring).
- 45 -

[*45] does not establish that, in their limited communications, Mr. Keys ever

willfully communicated any material misrepresentation with respect to SLF and its

purported collateral assignment with an intent to defraud Mr. Ramos or his

clients.

36

 We observe that the PPM details the nature and operation of the

collateral assignment and that the terms it employs in doing so are arguably

ambiguous. The record before us does not, however, establish that Mr. Ramos,

Mr. Keys, or any other individuals associated with SLF were at odds with respect

to how they interpreted the term “collateral assignment” and how such a collateral

assignment was to operate. The record establishes that the principals of SLF

understood that they were obligated to “collaterally assign” any “collateral

received” from their borrowers to SLF investors. The principals of SLF

understood this to mean that SLF investors would be entitled to repayment of their

“limited recourse” notes from the proceeds of foreclosure. The record similarly

establishes that Mr. Ramos, having read the PPM and done the due diligence

required of him, arrived at a similar understanding. That Mr. Ramos and others

then began describing the notes issued by SLF as “secured” appears to belie their

36As respondent notes, in California the misrepresentation or omission of a

material fact in the offering or selling of a security may be unlawful. Cal. Corp.

Code sec. 25401 (Deering 2014). Such a misrepresentation, however, will be

considered criminal only when it is made wilfully (i.e., intentionally). Id. sec.

25540(b); People v. Salas, 127 P.3d 40, 49 (Cal. 2006).
- 46 -

[*46] comprehension as to the actual meaning, function and operation of a security

interest. But it certainly does not give rise to an inference of willful

misrepresentation with the intent to defraud investors. Accordingly, we find that

the testimony of Mr. Ramos lacked credibility and reliability and failed to

establish that Mr. Keys, or any other SLF principal, exhibited the intent necessary

to sustain the Raifmans’ allegations of theft.

37

The expert report offered by the Raifmans re-interprets the factual findings

and holdings of the Raifmans’ arbitration with Mr. Ramos and Mr. Keys in order

to arrive at the determination that the actions of Mr. Keys were “categorically

fraudulent” and that the “entirety of the Raifman’s [sic] experience” with Mr.

Keys, and associated entities, was based on fraud. The report purports to arrive at

this conclusion through an application of the industry standards of care for

investment advisers.

To the extent the expert report is meant to support a conclusion that Mr.

Keys defrauded the Raifmans, it is unhelpful. The report does not invite our

attention to any particular indicia of the willful intent of Mr. Keys to defraud the

37We observe that the Raifmans have entered into the record numerous

documents related to guilty pleas entered by Mr. Keys with respect to unrelated

crimes. To the extent the Raifmans invite us to infer, by way of propensity

evidence, that Mr. Keys intended to defraud them, we decline to do so.
- 47 -

[*47] Raifmans, or any other SLF investor. Moreover, the report primarily

summarizes the arbitration opinion and, in doing so, appears to conflate breaches

of fiduciary duties and industry standards of care with the relevant California law

germane to our analysis under section 165.

38

 We recognize that fraud may take

many forms, but the defects and redundancy of this report lead us to accord it very

little weight with respect to establishing that Mr. Keys, or any other party related

to the SLF investments, acted with an intent to defraud the Raifmans.

E. ClassicStar

1. Concession, Positions, and the Remaining Elements

In a response to a motion for summary judgment filed by the Raifmans,

respondent conceded that the Raifmans suffered a theft pursuant to their

participation in the ClassicStar program. Recognizing respondent’s concession,

our analysis turns to the remaining two elements of a theft loss: (1) the correct

year of a deduction and (2) the correct amount of the deduction.

The Raifmans, however, argue that the ClassicStar program constituted a

ponzi scheme and rely exclusively on Rev. Proc. 2009-20, supra, in inviting this

Court to hold the same in accordance with Rev. Rul. 2009-9, 2009-14 I.R.B. 735. 

38This is, perhaps, to prevent the report from appearing to offer an

impermissible legal conclusion. See Nationwide Transp. Fin. v. Cass Info. Sys.,

Inc., 523 F.3d 1051, 1058 (9th Cir. 2008).
- 48 -

[*48] Accordingly, the Raifmans argue that they are entitled to a theft loss

deduction of $2,475,000.

39

 The Raifmans do not, however, allege a specific

context for the theft here conceded, and they do not identify the nature of the

property stolen. Similarly, they do not attempt to establish the fair market value

of, or their basis in, the unidentified stolen property.

2. The Provisions of Rev. Proc. 2009-20

The Raifmans allege the ClassicStar program constituted a ponzi scheme

and ask this Court to apply Rev. Proc. 2009-20, supra, to afford them a theft loss

deduction in accordance with the Commissioner’s disposition in that revenue

procedure. We observe that revenue procedures and revenue rulings are not

necessarily binding on this Court, see Estate of Lang v. Commissioner, 613 F.2d

770 (9th Cir. 1980), aff’g in part, rev’g in part 64 T.C. 404, 406-407 (1975), and

note that to the extent this Court might apply this revenue procedure, we would

not hold that the Raifmans qualify for beneficial treatment thereunder.

As pertinent here, Rev. Proc. 2009-20, supra, provides a safe harbor for a

taxpayer who is a “qualified investor” that unwittingly experienced losses by way

of participation in certain specified fraudulent arrangements. This procedure

39This amount appears to represent the Raifmans’ initial ClassicStar

participation fee, reduced in acknowledgment of their receipt of various incentive

and settlement payments.
- 49 -

[*49] generally relaxes the showing required of a taxpayer with respect to the

timing and amount of a theft loss. When a taxpayer qualifies for the safe harbor

treatment, the Commissioner will not challenge that taxpayer’s theft loss

deduction of the full amount of the taxpayer’s investment, for the tax year in

which the theft was “discovered”.

A qualified investor is a taxpayer who did not have actual knowledge of the

fraudulent nature of the arrangement before its becoming known to the general

public; additionally, the arrangement must not constitute a tax shelter, as defined

in section 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii). As relevant here, section 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii) defines a

tax shelter as any investment plan or other arrangement whose significant purpose

is the avoidance or evasion of Federal income tax. An investment plan or other

arrangement will be considered principally, significantly, motivated to avoid

taxation if that purpose exceeds any other purpose. Sec. 1.6662-4(g)(2), Income

Tax Regs. The existence of an economic motivator will not, itself, establish that a

transaction’s principal purpose is not the sheltering of income from taxation if

objective evidence indicates otherwise. Id.

Mr. Ramos introduced the Raifmans to the ClassicStar program principally

because Mr. Ramos believed it could offset the Raifmans’ “phantom” tax liability

arising from their exercise of Mr. Raifman’s nonqualified Valueclick options. Mr.
- 50 -

[*50] Ramos determined, with exactitude, the amount of money that the Raifmans’

would need to buy into the ClassicStar program in order to offset that liability, and

provide them a net operating loss large enough to secure a refund of their Federal

income tax paid for prior years.

40

 Moreover, the record is replete with depositions

and testimony wherein Mr. Ramos, Mr. Shaw, and Mrs. Raifman stated that the

Raifmans’ principal purpose for participating in the ClassicStar program was to

avoid income tax for 2003 and recover income tax paid for previous years.

The weight of the evidence before us fails to establish that the Raifmans

participated in the ClassicStar program for any significant purpose other than the

avoidance of Federal income tax. We find that the Raifmans do not constitute

qualified investors and, accordingly, they could not qualify for the safe harbor

provisions of Rev. Proc. 2009-20, supra.

3. The Amount of the ClassicStar Theft Losses

The amount of a theft loss is limited to the lesser of (1) the fair market value

of the property immediately before the theft or (2) the adjusted basis of the stolen

40We also observe that, in this manner, the ClassicStar program was

designed to operate as an “artful device” that enabled its participants to shelter

ordinary income from taxation for a current year and to convert ordinary income

into capital gain income a short time later. See, e.g., Commissioner v. P.G. Lake,

Inc., 356 U.S. 260, 265 (1958) (citing Corn Prods. Ref. Co. v. Commissioner, 350

U.S. 46, 52 (1955)).
- 51 -

[*51] property. Sec. 165(b); secs. 1.165-7(b)(1), 1.165-8(c), Income Tax Regs. A

taxpayer may not, however, deduct a theft loss to the extent he or she has

recovered or been compensated for that loss. Sec. 165(a); see Doud v.

Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1982-158.

To the extent established by the record before us, we find that the Raifmans

were victims of a theft arising exclusively in the context of the material

misrepresentations made by ClassicStar to induce their acceptance of the quarter

horse swap agreement. Similarly, we find that the property the Raifmans

conveyed in reliance on those misrepresentations was their interests in the two

unborn foals and any rights arising from their unfruitful mare leases that had

previously expired on July 1, 2004. The record establishes bases41 for these two in

utero foals of $281,865 and $480,700.

41With respect to the amount of their theft loss the Raifmans relied

exclusively on Rev. Proc. 2009-20, 2009-14 I.R.B. 749, as discussed above. 

Accordingly, they declined to offer any data or calculations indicative of the fair

market value of the rights arising from their expired leases, did not invite our

attention to any data or calculation with respect to any collateral expenses incurred

pursuant to their attempts to recover their property, and have advanced no

associated argument with respect thereto. See Ander v. Commissioner, 47 T.C.

592, 595 (1967)
- 52 -

[*52] 4. The Year of Loss

Generally, taxpayers may deduct a loss only for the year such loss is

sustained. Sec. 165(a). With respect to theft losses, however, taxpayers are

permitted to treat the theft loss as being sustained during the taxable year in which

the taxpayer discovers the theft. Sec. 165(e). Taxpayers may not, however, claim

a theft loss deduction for a year in which he or she may still have a claim for

reimbursement, with respect to which there is a reasonable prospect of recovery. 

Sec. 1.165-1(d)(2) and (3), Income Tax Regs. A reasonable prospect of recovery

will postpone the theft loss deduction until such time as that prospect no longer

exists. Sec. 1.165-1(d)(3), Income Tax Regs.

The Raifmans, among other investors, concluded litigation against

ClassicStar and its parent corporations in 2013 and have been routinely recovering

from related parties since initiating litigation with ClassicStar in 2008.

Accordingly, we reject the Raifmans’ claim that 2008 is the proper year for them

to recognize their theft loss associated with their participation in the ClassicStar

program.

II. The Investment in P&A Notes as a Worthless Security Capital Loss

The Raifmans argue that they ought to be allowed to deduct a long-term

capital loss for tax year 2008 with respect to their investment in the P&A notes. If
- 53 -

[*53] a security which is a capital asset becomes worthless during the taxable year,

section 165(g) allows a taxpayer to deduct the loss resulting therefrom as a capital

loss. A security, for these purposes, constitutes a bond, a note, or other evidence

of indebtedness, issued by a corporation. Sec. 165(g)(2). Individuals may deduct

capital losses to the extent of capital gains plus $3,000 of ordinary income. Sec.

1211(b).

A taxpayer seeking a deduction for a worthless security must, among other

things, prove the actual worthlessness of the security. A taxpayer may claim such

a deduction only for the first year in which there is no reasonable chance of

recovery. Sec. 1.165-4(a), Income Tax Regs.; see Vincentini v. Commissioner,

T.C. Memo. 2008-271, slip op. at 17-19, aff’d, 429 F. App’x 560 (6th Cir. 2011);

Favia v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2002-154. If, in the year of discovery, there

exists a claim for reimbursement with respect to which there is a reasonable

prospect of recovery, no portion of the loss for which reimbursement may be

received may be deducted until the taxable year in which it can be ascertained with

reasonable certainty whether or not the reimbursement will be received, for

example, by a settlement, adjudication, or abandonment of the claim. Secs.

1.165-1(d), 1.165-5, 1.165-8(a)(2), Income Tax Regs. As with theft losses,
- 54 -

[*54] taxpayers may deduct a worthless security loss only to the extent not

compensated. Sec. 165(a).

The record establishes that the Raifmans invested $400,000 in the P&A

notes. These notes are a security within the meaning of section 165(g). The

money owed the Raifmans on those notes is unlikely to ever be paid. In

September 2009 the Raifmans were awarded $500,000 with respect to this

investment, pursuant to their arbitration involving Mr. Ramos, Mr. Keys, and

PCG. Accordingly, the proper year of loss is not 2008, as the Raifmans claim, but

a later year that the record does not establish.

III. Section 6662 Accuracy-Related Penalties

Respondent determined that for all years at issue the Raifmans were liable

for accuracy-related penalties under section 6662(a) and (b)(1) and (2) for

negligence, disregard of rules or regulations, or substantial understatements of

income tax. The Raifmans contest the imposition of these penalties.

A taxpayer is liable for a section 6662(a) accuracy-related penalty with

respect to any portion of an underpayment attributable to negligence or disregard

of rules and regulations, or a substantial understatement of income tax. Sec.

6662(a) and (b)(1) and (2). Negligence occurs when the taxpayer fails to make a

reasonable attempt to comply with the provisions of the Code while disregard of
- 55 -

[*55] rules and regulations means any careless, reckless, or intentional disregard

thereof. Sec. 6662(c); sec. 1.6662-3(b)(1)(ii), Income Tax Regs. (stating that a

taxpayer exhibits negligence when he or she “fails to make a reasonable attempt to

ascertain the correctness of a deduction, credit or exclusion which would seem to a

reasonable and prudent person to be ‘too good to be true’ under the

circumstances”). A substantial understatement of income tax exists when the

amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be

shown on the return for the taxable year or $5,000. Sec. 6662(d)(1)(A).

The Commissioner bears the burden of production with respect to the

accuracy-related penalty under section 6662. Sec. 7491(c); Higbee v.

Commissioner, 116 T.C. 438, 446 (2001).

A. Graev Implications

This case was tried during the Court’s October 25, 2016, trial session in San

Francisco, California. The record remained open until June 1, 2017. Before the

court closed the record in this case, neither party attempted to introduce evidence

with respect to the written supervisory approval requirement of section 6751(b)(1). 

Briefing was completed on December 1, 2017.

42

42Shortly after the conclusion of trial, this Court released Graev v.

Commissioner (Graev II), 147 T.C. 460 (2016), supplemented and overruled in

(continued...)
- 56 -

[*56] On December 20, 2017, this Court released Graev v. Commissioner (Graev

III), 149 T.C. __ (Dec. 20, 2017), supplementing and overruling in part 147 T.C.

460 (2016). In Graev III, 149 T.C. at __ (slip op. at 14), as pertinent here, this

Court held for the first time that as part of his burden of production the

Commissioner must offer into the record evidence of his compliance with the

written supervisory approval requirement of section 6751(b)(1). On January 23,

2018, we ordered the parties to address the effect of Graev III on this case and to

file any associated motions by February 15, 2018.43

On February 9, 2018, respondent filed a motion to reopen the record and the

declaration of Theresa Alvarez in support of that motion (collectively,

respondent’s motion). Revenue Agent Theresa Alvarez (RA Alvarez) was tasked

with examining the Raifmans’ returns for the years at issue. Respondent’s motion

42

(...continued)

part by Graev v. Commissioner (Graev III), 149 T.C. __ (Dec. 20, 2017), where

we held that the Commissioner was only required to comply with the written

supervisory approval requirement of sec. 6751(b)(1) before the actual assessment

of applicable penalties. At the close of the record, and through the completion of

briefing, Graev II was controlling in this case.

43On January 29, 2018, respondent filed a response to our order dated

January 23, 2018, notifying the Court that he had informed the Raifmans about the

penalty approval form on January 23, 2018, and informing the Court and the

Raifmans of his intent to file a motion to reopen the record. See Fed. R. Evid.

902(11).
- 57 -

[*57] seeks to reopen the record to add documentary evidence that might establish

his compliance with the written supervisory approval requirement of section

6751(b)(1).

Respondent’s motion includes a “Penalty Approval Form” and “Negligence

or Disregard of the Rules or Regulations Lead Sheet 6662(c)” (collectively,

penalty approval form). The penalty approval form indicates that it was prepared

by RA Alvarez with respect to her examination of the Raifmans’ returns for the

years at issue. A signature dated March 18, 2013, appears on the penalty approval

form in the space provided for “Group Manager Approval to Assess Penalties

Identified Above”. In her declaration RA Alvarez states that this signature is that

of her then-immediate supervisor, Robert Gee, and that she is already familiar with

the signature of Mr. Gee, who regularly signed documents she had prepared during

his tenure as her immediate supervisor. RA Alvarez additionally states that this

penalty approval form was drafted contemporaneously with her examination of the

Raifmans’ returns for the years at issue and that these forms are of the type that

employees of the IRS regularly create and keep in the course of ordinary business.

On February 15, 2018, the Raifmans filed a competing motion to reopen the

record (Raifmans’ motion). The Raifmans’ motion objects to respondent’s motion

only insofar as the Raifmans request that any reopening of the record also afford
- 58 -

[*58] them the opportunity to cross-examine Mr. Gee and to again cross-examine

RA Alvarez. To this extent, the Raifmans’ motion argues that the penalty

approval form fails to establish that RA Alvarez and Mr. Gee adequately

considered their reasonable cause defense to the accuracy-related penalties under

section 6662 for the years at issue.

On February 23, 2018, we ordered the parties to respond to these competing

motions to reopen the record, and the parties complied.

The decision to reopen the record to admit additional evidence is a matter

within the discretion of the trial court. Zenith Radio Corp. v. Hazeltine Research,

Inc., 401 U.S. 321, 331 (1971); see also Nor-Cal Adjusters v. Commissioner, 503

F.2d 359, 363 (9th Cir. 1974), aff’g T.C. Memo. 1971-200. This Court, however,

will not exercise such discretion unless the evidence that a party seeks to admit to

the record is material and will aid the Court in determining the outcome of the

case; the record will not be reopened to admit evidence that is merely cumulative

or impeaching. Butler v. Commissioner, 114 T.C. 276, 287 (2000), abrogated on

other grounds, Porter v. Commissioner, 132 T.C. 203 (2009); see SEC v. Rogers,

790 F.2d 1450, 1460 (9th Cir. 1986). Similarly, this Court will weigh the

diligence of, and any prejudice to, the parties when disposing of motions to reopen

the record. See Estate of Freedman v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2007-61, slip
- 59 -

[*59] op. at 26-28; see also Purex Corp. v. Procter & Gamble Co., 664 F.2d 1105,

1109 (9th Cir. 1981) (citing Skehan v. Bd. of Trustees, 590 F.2d 470, 478 (3d Cir.

1978)).

The Raifmans’ motion challenged neither the authenticity or admissibility of

the penalty approval form as a business record nor the associated declaration of

RA Alvarez.44 Additionally, the Raifmans do not argue that the grant of

respondent’s motion would be improper in that the penalty approval form is

immaterial, cumulative, or impeaching.

45

 Instead, the Raifmans appear to argue

that they would be prejudiced if we admitted the penalty approval form without

giving them an opportunity to cross-examine RA Alvarez and Mr. Gee. To this

extent, the Raifmans argue the penalty approval form is insufficient to establish

44As a preliminary matter, we hold that the penalty approval form is

admissible in that the form is an admissible business record under Fed. R. Evid.

803(6). See Fed. R. Evid. 902(11); see also Clough v. Commissioner, 119 T.C.

183, 190-191 (2002). By the same measure, we hold that RA Alvarez sufficiently

identified and established her familiarity with the signature of Mr. Gee. See Fed.

R. Evid. 901(b)(2).

45On the basis of this Court’s holdings in Graev II and Graev III, see supra

note 42, the record before us lacks any evidence upon which we may ascertain

whether the Commissioner complied with the written supervisory approval

requirement of sec. 6751(b)(1). Accordingly, the penalty approval form is by its

nature material and manifestly not cumulative, as admission of the penalty

approval form into evidence would stand to influence this case’s outcome by being

the only record in evidence that might establish whether the Commissioner

actually complied with the requirement of sec. 6751(b)(1).
- 60 -

[*60] whether RA Alvarez or Mr. Gee adequately considered the applicability of

any reasonable cause penalty defense available to the Raifmans and that the only

means of establishing such is through cross-examination.

Section 6751(b)(1) requires only that “the initial determination * * * [of the

accuracy-related penalty be] personally approved (in writing) by the immediate

supervisor” of the individual who determined that the penalty is applicable. We

are not persuaded by the Raifmans’ argument that additional cross-examination is

necessary to avoid prejudice.

First, the penalty approval form, as documentary evidence offered as part of

respondent’s motion, will indicate that respondent either did or did not comply

with the written supervisory approval requirement of section 6751(b)(1). We

again note that the Raifmans’ motion and subsequent response failed to challenge

the penalty approval form or its attached declaration in any respect, evidentiary or

otherwise. Absent such a prima facie challenge we are left with the conviction

that admission of the penalty form would not prejudice the Raifmans, and that

further cross-examination is unnecessary.

Second, to the extent the Raifmans request the opportunity to cross-examine

RA Alvarez and Mr. Gee with respect to whether they adequately contemplated

the Raifmans’ reasonable cause defense, we determine that such a line of
- 61 -

[*61] questioning would be immaterial and wholly irrelevant to ascertaining

whether respondent complied with the written supervisory approval requirement

of section 6751(b)(1) or the merits of the Raifmans’ reasonable cause defense to

accuracy-related penalties under section 6662 for the years at issue. The written

supervisory approval requirement of section 6751(b)(1) requires just that: written

supervisory approval. We decline to read into section 6751(b)(1) the subtextual

requirement advocated by the Raifmans in their request for additional crossexamination. Similarly, we believe it would be imprudent for this Court to now

begin examining the propriety of the Commissioner’s administrative policy or

procedure underlying his penalty determinations. See Greenberg’s Express, Inc. v.

Commissioner, 62 T.C. 324, 328-329 (1974).46 Thus, we cannot conclude that the

Raifmans would be prejudiced.

Accordingly, respondent’s motion will be granted and the penalty approval

form is received into evidence. The Raifmans’ motion will be denied. 

Recognizing the parties concessions, and in the light of our holdings above and

46The rule stated by this Court in Greenberg’s Express, Inc. v.

Commissioner, 62 T.C. 324 (1974), predates the addition of the written

supervisory approval requirement of sec. 6751(b)(1) to the Code. Congress

understood the longstanding rule of Greenberg’s Express when it enacted sec.

6751(b)(1) and at that time did not deem it necessary to expand our jurisdiction or

overturn our precedent, as the Raifmans advocate here. See Lorillard v. Pons, 434

U.S. 575, 580 (1978).
- 62 -

[*62] our discussion below, we hold that respondent has satisfied his burden of

production.

B. Reasonable Cause, Justified Reliance

Once the Commissioner meets his burden, the burden of proof is on the

taxpayer to prove that the application of the penalty is inappropriate. See Higbee

v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. at 446-447. The Raifmans argue that the accuracyrelated penalties are inappropriate, as they acted with reasonable cause and in

good faith in relying on the tax advice of Mr. Ramos and Mr. Shaw.

The accuracy-related penalty will not apply to any portion of the

underpayment for which a taxpayer establishes that he or she had reasonable cause

and acted in good faith. Sec. 6664(c)(1). The determination of whether a taxpayer

acted with reasonable cause and in good faith is made on a case-by-case basis,

taking into account all the pertinent facts and circumstances, including his or her

efforts to assess the proper tax liability, the knowledge and experience of the

taxpayer, and the extent to which he or she relied on the advice of a tax

professional. See sec. 1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs.

A taxpayer acts with reasonable cause when he or she exercises ordinary

business care and prudence with respect to a disputed tax item. Neonatology

Assocs., P.A. v. Commissioner, 115 T.C. 43, 98 (2000), aff’d, 299 F.3d 221 (3d
- 63 -

[*63] Cir. 2002). Good-faith reliance on the advice of an independent, competent

professional as to the tax treatment of an item may meet this requirement. See sec.

1.6664-4(b)(1), Income Tax Regs. A taxpayer acts in good faith when he or she

acts upon honest belief and with intent to perform all lawful obligations. See

Rutter v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2017-174, at *45.

A taxpayer alleging reasonable, good-faith reliance on the advice of an

independent, competent professional must prove that (1) the adviser was a

competent professional who had sufficient expertise to justify reliance, (2) the

taxpayer provided necessary and accurate information to the adviser, and (3) the

taxpayer actually relied in good faith on the adviser’s judgment. Neonatology

Assocs, P.A. v. Commissioner, 115 T.C. at 99. A taxpayer’s unconditional

reliance on an otherwise qualified professional does not constitute reasonable

reliance in good faith for purposes of section 6664(c)(1). See Stough v.

Commissioner, 144 T.C. 306, 323 (2015). A taxpayer asserting reasonable

reliance must show that the opinion of a qualified adviser took into account all

facts and circumstances and was not based on unreasonable facts or legal

assumptions. Sec. 1.6664-4(c)(1), Income Tax Regs. Similarly, a taxpayer cannot

reasonably rely on the professional advice of an individual the taxpayer knows, or

should know, to be an insider or a promoter of a particular tax scheme, or to have
- 64 -

[*64] an inherent conflict of interest. New Phoenix Sunrise Corp. v.

Commissioner, 132 T.C. 161, 193-195 (2009), aff’d, 408 F. App’x 908 (6th Cir.

2010); Marine v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 958, 992-993 (1989), aff’d without

published opinion, 921 F.2d 280 (9th Cir. 1991).

First, we observe that the Raifmans jettisoned their former C.P.A. after

electing to engage in the ClassicStar and Derivium programs and shortly after Mr.

Ramos had presented that C.P.A. with materials regarding the Raifmans’

participation in the ClassicStar program. Following this parting of ways the

Raifmans turned to Mr. Ramos for referral to a return preparer. Mr. Ramos, the

individual who sold the Raifmans on the transactions at issue, had a professional

interest in delivering the Raifmans a return preparer who would respect those

transactions, particularly as they had not sought or secured any legal or tax advice

before engaging in them. Accordingly, Mr. Ramos referred the Raifmans to Mr.

Shaw, who they hired sight unseen.

Second, as Mr. Shaw’s testimony and the remainder of the record illustrate,

Mr. Shaw did not provide the Raifmans with any actual independent and objective

tax advice. Mr. Shaw did not examine the substance of any of the transactions

which the Raifmans had hired him to report on. Indeed, Mr. Shaw’s engagement

with the Raifmans expressly limited the scope of his responsibilities. Any
- 65 -

[*65] independent advice that Mr. Shaw may have rendered was not based on his

own review of all pertinent facts and circumstances. Mr. Shaw, instead, closely

coordinated with Mr. Ramos, and other promoters, in his preparation and defense

of the Raifmans’ returns for the years at issue and assumed the veracity of the

factual and legal representations of those individuals.

47

Additionally, we observe that the Raifmans are sophisticated individuals

whose experience and savvy ought to have clued them in, early on, to the reality

that the tax benefits touted by the Derivium and ClassicStar programs were too

good to be true. With respect to the Derivium transaction, the Raifmans directed

Mr. Ramos to review the program with an outside adviser, a licensed C.P.A. and

attorney, an attorney who declined to engage in any such review. Undaunted, the

Raifmans sought no further expertise, consulted no other professionals, and

engaged in a series of Derivium transactions despite their own misgivings. More

egregiously, the Raifmans sought no outside counsel, with respect to the tax

benefits of the ClassicStar program before choosing to participate in the program. 

47With respect to the Raifmans’ originally claimed deduction for a $15

million theft loss for tax year 2008, Mr. Shaw testified, without elaboration, that

he determined this deduction would be proper pursuant to the arbitration decision. 

We observe that Mr. Shaw’s determination in this regard similarly relies on

unreasonable assumptions with respect to the deduction claimed or completely

disregards rules and regulations which proscribe deductions for theft losses until

no reasonable prospect of recovery exists.
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[*66] To this extent, the Raifmans’ assertion of reliance on the advice of Mr. Shaw

is again unreasonable, as their actions reveal a lack of reasonable business care

and prudence on their part. See Neonatology Associates, P.A. v. Commissioner,

299 F.3d at 234 (“When, as here, a taxpayer is presented with what would appear

to be a fabulous opportunity to avoid tax obligations, he should recognize that he

proceeds at his own peril.”); New Phoenix Sunrise Corp. v. Commissioner, 132

T.C. at 195.

On the record before us, any objective and independent advice the Raifmans

may have received did not come from Mr. Shaw. The Raifmans engaged Mr.

Shaw as a strictly prophylactic measure. To the extent Mr. Shaw rendered any

advice, the Raifmans either knew, or should have known, that such advice was

moored to the representations of Mr. Ramos and others riddled with conflicts

stemming from their roles as promoters and insiders of the transactions at issue. 

Thus, any reliance on Mr. Shaw is objectively unreasonable. Accordingly, we

sustain respondent’s determination that petitioners are liable for accuracy-related

penalties for the years at issue, consistent with our holdings above.
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[*67] To reflect the foregoing,

An appropriate order will be

issued, and decision will be entered

under Rule 155.