In
United States v. Garrity, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 66372 (D. Conn. 2016),
here, the United States filed a complaint,
here, seeking judgement on a willful FBAR penalty assessment for the year 2005. Key background paragraphs of the complaint are:
7. In November 1989, Paul G. Garrity, Sr., established the Lion Rock Foundation, a Liechtenstein Shiftung. Paul G. Garrity, Sr., was the primary beneficiary of the Lion Rock Foundation from the time it was founded until his death in 2008.
8. In November 1989, Paul G. Garrity, Sr., opened an account in the name of Lion Rock Foundation with LGT Bank, a bank located in Liechtenstein, having a number ending in 718 (“Account”). The Account continued in existence until after the death of Paul G. Garrity, Sr. After his death, in 2009, the funds held in the account were distributed equally to each of his three sons, Kevin S. Garrity, Paul G. Garrity, Jr., and Sean R. Garrity.
9. On or about the time the Account was opened, Paul G. Garrity, Sr., entered into an Agency Agreement with BIL Treuhand AG (“BIL Treuhand”) to appoint members of the Lion Rock Foundation Board. The agreement required BIL Treuhand “as well as the person(s) appointed by [it] . . . to act in accordance with the Instructions imparted by [Paul G. Garrity, Sr.,] or persons empowered to act on behalf of [Paul G. Garrity, Sr.]” At all times relevant to this matter, Paul G. Garrity, Sr., exercised complete control over the Lion Rock Foundation.
[Money was shunted to the foundation through a related offshore company which billed Garrity's U.S. taxable entity for "inspection services." That offshore company never performed any services.]
14. At various times, an entity known as Tamino Trading, Ltd., and Grant Thornton International, Ltd., both also deposited monies into the Account.
16. Paul G. Garrity, Sr., did not report any income or loss from the Account, or otherwise disclose the existence of the Account to the IRS, on his 2005 federal income tax return, or at any other time. Moreover, Paul G. Garrity, Sr., did not advise the accountant who prepared his 2005 federal income tax return of the existence of the Account at any time.
18. In May 2008, the IRS initiated an audit as to the tax liability of Paul G. Garrity,
Sr., for the 2005 taxable year. In connection with that audit, the IRS was investigating matters related to the Account.
19. On October 14, 2009, Diane M. Garrity, a representative of the estate of Paul G. Garrity, Sr., deceased, filed Treasury Forms TD-F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (“FBAR”), for the 2003 through 2008 calendar years with the IRS. The FBAR filed for the 2005 calendar year indicates that the maximum amount held in the Account during that year was $1,873,382.00.
