Opinion
1:16-CV-01699-DAD-SKO
03-08-2017
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Petitioner, v. JULIAN C. CHAPA, Respondent.
MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND ORDER RE: I.R.S. SUMMONS ENFORCEMENT
This matter came on before Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on February 22, 2017, under the Order to Show Cause filed November 21, 2016. (Doc. 4). The order, with the verified petition filed November 8, 2016, (Doc. 1), and its supporting memorandum, (Doc. 3, Ex. 1), was personally served on Respondent, Julian C. Chapa, on December 15, 2016, at his place of residence, 2368 5th Street, Sanger, California. (Doc. 5). Respondent did not file an opposition or a non-opposition to the verified petition as provided for in the Order to Show Cause. At the hearing, Bobbie J. Montoya, Assistant United States Attorney, personally appeared on behalf of Petitioner, and investigating Revenue Officer Lisa R. Lopez (formerly known as Lisa R. Cumiford) was also present in the courtroom. Respondent appeared at the hearing.
The Verified Petition to Enforce I.R.S. Summons initiating this proceeding seeks to enforce an administrative summons issued February 8, 2016. See Exhibit A to the Petition, (Doc. 1, Ex. 2). The summons is part of an investigation of the Respondent to secure information needed to collect the tax liability for Form 1040 for the calendar periods ending December 31, 2007, December 31, 2008, December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2012.
Subject matter jurisdiction is invoked under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1340 and 1345, and is found to be proper. I.R.C. §§ 7402(b) and 7604(a) (26 U.S.C.) authorize the government to bring the action. The Order to Show Cause shifted to Respondent the burden of rebutting any of the four requirements of United States v. Powell, 379 U.S. 48, 57-58 (1964).
The Court has reviewed the petition and the supporting documents. Based on the uncontroverted petition verified by Revenue Officer Lisa R. Lopez and the entire record, the Court makes the following findings:
(1) The summons (Exhibit A to the Petition, Doc. 1, Ex. 2) issued by Revenue Officer Lisa R. Lopez on February 8, 2016, and served upon Respondent on February 9, 2016, seeking testimony and production of documents and records in Respondent's possession, was issued in good faith and for a legitimate purpose under I.R.C. § 7602, that is, to secure information needed to collect the tax liability for Form 1040 for the calendar periods ending December 31, 2007, December 31, 2008, December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2012.
(2) The information sought is relevant to that purpose.
(3) The information sought is not already in the possession of the Internal Revenue Service.
(4) The administrative steps required by the Internal Revenue Code have been followed.
(5) There is no evidence of referral of this case by the Internal Revenue Service to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution.
(6) The verified petition and its exhibits made a prima facie showing of satisfaction of the requirements of United States v. Powell, 379 U.S. 48, 57-58 (1964).
(7) The burden shifted to Respondent, Julian C. Chapa, to rebut that prima facie showing.
(8) Respondent presented no argument or evidence to rebut the prima facie showing.
The Court therefore recommends that the I.R.S. summons served upon Respondent, Julian C. Chapa, be enforced and that Respondent be ordered to appear at the I.R.S. offices at 2525 Capitol Street, Suite 206, Fresno, CA 93721-2227, before Revenue Officer Lisa R. Lopez or her designated representative, on March 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., as agreed to by Revenue Officer Lopez and Respondent, Julian C. Chapa, at the show cause hearing, then and there to be sworn, to give testimony, and to produce for examining and copying the books, checks, records, papers and other data demanded by the summons, the examination to continue from day to day until completed, unless compliance with the summons is fully achieved prior to that date and time. Should the foregoing appointment date need to be continued or rescheduled, the Respondent is to be notified in writing of a later date by Revenue Officer Lopez. The Court further recommends that if it enforces the summons, that the Court retain jurisdiction to enforce its order by its contempt power.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and (C) and Rule 304 of the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. Within fourteen (14) days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be titled "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any reply to the objections shall be served and filed within fourteen (14) days after service of the objections. The District Judge will then review these findings and recommendations pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).
THE CLERK SHALL SERVE this and further orders by mail to Respondent, Julian C. Chapa, at the following address: 2368 5th Street, Sanger, CA 93657. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: March 8 , 2017
/s/ Sheila K . Oberto
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE