Date post: | 10-Oct-2014 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | francois-pilet |
View: | 546 times |
Download: | 0 times |
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
ANN BIRMINGHAM SCHEELActing United States AttorneyDistrict of Arizona
Monica B. EdelsteinTimothy J. StockwellTrial AttorneysDepartment of Justice, Tax DivisionTwo Renaissance Square40 North Central Ave. Suite 1200Phoenix, AZ [email protected]@usdoj.gov
Attorneys for PlaintiffUnited States of America
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
United States of America
Plaintiff,
v.
1. Stephen M. Kerr;
2. Michael Quiel;
3. Christopher M. Rusch,
Defendants.
11-CR-2385-JAT (DKD)
GOVERNMENT’S MOTION FORDETERMINATION OF CRIME-
FRAUD EXCEPTION
Plaintiff, United States of America, through its undersigned counsel of record,
the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, and the Tax Division of the
Department of Justice, hereby files its Motion For Determination of the Crime-Fraud
Exception to the attorney-client privilege (“Motion”) and respectfully moves the Court
for a determination that confidential oral communications between Christopher Rusch
and Stephen Kerr and/or Michael Quiel are not protected by the attorney-client privilege
because of the applicability of the crime-fraud exception. The motion is supported by
the below memorandum of points and authorities.
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 1 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
On December 8, 2011, Stephen Kerr (“Kerr”), Michael Quiel (“Quiel”), and
Christopher Rusch (“Rusch”) were indicted for violating 18 U.S.C. §371, conspiracy
to defraud the United States. Additionally, Kerr and Quiel were each charged with two
counts of willful filing of false returns for tax years 2007 and 2008 in violation of 26
U.S.C. §7206(1) and two counts of willful failure to file Reports of Foreign Bank and
Financial Accounts (“FBARs”) in violation of 31 U.S.C. §5314, §5322(a). The
indictment remained under seal until January 30, 2012, when the defendants could be
taken into custody.
The indictment alleges that Phoenix businessmen Kerr and Quiel retained Rusch,
a tax attorney, to assist them in defrauding the IRS through the use of secret offshore
bank accounts held in the names of nominee entities. Specifically, beginning in or
before 2004, and continuing through at least December 2007, Kerr and Quiel obtained
control of shares of stock of publicly traded domestic companies in a way that
concealed their ownership of the stock. Kerr and Quiel then deposited the stock, or
proceeds from the sale of the stock, to multiple undeclared bank accounts set up with
the assistance of Rusch at UBS in Switzerland and at another Swiss bank. According
to the indictment Rusch assisted in setting up these accounts in the names of nominee
entities to further conceal Kerr’s and Quiel’s ownership. Kerr and Quiel also used the
accounts to conceal income earned from the subsequent sale of this stock from the IRS.
Rusch set up the accounts, maintained signature authority over the accounts, and
directed transactions to and from these accounts in a manner that further concealed
Kerr’s and Quiel’s ownership interest.
- 2 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 2 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Although an in camera review of evidence is appropriate to determine the
applicability of the crime-fraud exception in some circumstances, the government is1
not seeking in camera review here. The government did previously raise the crime-
fraud exception issue concerning documents produced by Rusch in a Motion for In
Camera Review filed pre-indictment. To the extent that the government will utilize
some of the documents produced by Rusch in support of its position that the crime-
fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege applies to oral communications between
the parties, some background may be helpful.
Following Rusch’s production of documents pursuant to a grand jury subpoena,
counsel for Kerr and Quiel raised the issue of attorney-client privilege. Counsel for
Kerr and Quiel, however, refused to produce a privilege log or identify and return to the
government the non-privileged materials thereby requiring the government to utilize a
taint team to review the documents and narrow down the universe of arguably
privileged materials. The government moved the Court to conduct an in camera
inspection of the allegedly attorney-client privileged materials produced by Rusch to
determine, as a threshold matter, if the materials were protected by the attorney-client
privilege, and if so, to further determine that the crime-fraud exception applied. On or
about August 19, 2011, the Court (J. Martone) ruled that the subpoenas were proper and
that defendants had failed to properly assert the attorney-client privilege in the first
place. The Ninth Circuit declined to review the issue of whether the defendants had
properly asserted the privilege. Consequently, the Court has not addressed the
applicability of the crime-fraud exception to any communications—in document form
or otherwise—between Rusch and Kerr and/or Quiel.
See, e.g., United States v. Zolin, 491 U.S. 554, 565-70 (1989); In re Grand1
Jury Subpoena 92-1(SJ), 31 F.3d 826, 829-30 (9th Cir. 1994); In re Grand JuryInvestigation, 974 F.2d 1068, 1072-74 (9th Cir. 1992).
- 3 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 3 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
For the purpose outlined in Exhibit 1, filed herein under seal and ex parte, the
government now respectfully moves this Court for a determination that confidential oral
communications between Rusch and Kerr and/or Quiel in order to obtain legal advice,
as well as Rusch’s advise to Kerr and Quiel in response to such disclosures, as they
related to the allegations contained in the indictment , are not protected by the attorney-2
client privilege because of applicability of the crime-fraud exception. The government
can meet its burden, based on the evidence gathered in this case, to establish reasonable
cause to believe that Rusch’s services were utilized in furtherance of an ongoing
criminal scheme to defraud the government and evade tax.
ARGUMENT
The attorney-client privilege protects confidential disclosures made by a client
to an attorney in order to obtain legal advice as well as an attorney’s advice to the client
in response to such disclosures. In re Grand Jury Investigation (Corporation), 974 F.2d
1068, 1070 (9th Cir. 1992) (quotations and citations omitted); United States v. Ruehle,
583 F.3d 600, 607 (9th Cir. 2009). Because the attorney-client privilege impedes full
and free discovery of the truth, it is strictly construed. See United States v. Martin, 278
F.3d 988, 999 (2002) (citation omitted). Under the well-recognized crime-fraud
exception to the attorney-client privilege, “all reasons for the privilege are eviscerated
when a client consults an attorney for legal assistance to carry out a contemplated or
ongoing crime.” In re Grand Jury Proceedings, 867 F.2d 539, 541 (9th Cir. 1989).
The government is aware that Rusch was retained by Kerr and Quiel to perform2
other legal services, some of which are completely unrelated to the alleged charges. The government does not request a crime-fraud determination regarding anyconfidential communications of unrelated legal representation, which includes thesetting up of a charitable foundation, a Delaware corporation, and a Cayman Islandsentity. The government also does not request a crime-fraud determination as to Rusch’sbrief legal representation of Kerr and Quiel regarding the instant criminal investigation. Finally, the government is aware that Rusch was retained by Quiel regarding an IRSaudit of an offshore account that preceded the setting up of the secret Swiss accounts. The government does not request a crime-fraud determination regarding thisrepresentation at this time, but may do so in the future.
- 4 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 4 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
This exception relates to the client’s misuse of confidentiality, and it applies without
regard to whether the attorney was aware that the client was engaged in criminal
activity. In re Grand Jury Proceedings, 87 F.3d 377, 379 (9th Cir. 1996); see United
States v. Zolin, 491 U.S. 554, 562-63 (1989) (well settled that privilege waived when
client uses attorney-client relationship to engage in future wrongdoing, as opposed to
advise about prior wrongdoing).
The government bears the burden of proving the applicability of the crime-fraud
exception. United States v. Laurins, 857 F.2d 529, 540 (9th Cir. 1988). To invoke the
crime-fraud exception, there must be a prima facie showing by the government that: (1)
Kerr and Quiel were engaged in or intending to engage in criminal or fraudulent activity
when they sought the advice of Rusch; and (2) that Rusch’s communications were used
in furtherance of the intended or continuing illegal activity. In re Grand Jury
Proceedings, 87 F.3d at 379 n.4 (citing United States v. Laurins, 857 F.2d 529, 541 (9th
Cir. 1988)); United States v. Chen, 99 F.3d 1495, 1503 (9th Cir. 1996). The standard
of proof is reasonableness. The appropriate test is whether there is reasonable cause to
believe that Rusch’s services were utilized in furtherance of an ongoing or future
criminal scheme. In re Grand Jury Proceedings, 87 F.3d at 381. Proof sufficient to
establish the elements of a crime or fraud beyond a reasonable doubt is not required.
Id. Reasonable cause is more than suspicion but less than a preponderance of the
evidence. Chen, 99 F.3d at 1499. Upon the appropriate showing by the government,
the Court can order that the attorney provide testimony and documentation that would
otherwise be privileged except for the application of the crime-fraud exception. See
e.g., In re Grand Jury Proceedings, 87 F.3d at 380; In re Grand Jury Proceedings, 867
F.2d at 540.
The evidence outlined below establishes, at a minimum, a prima facie case that
Kerr and Quiel used Rusch’s legal services in furtherance of the conspiracy to defraud
the government, conceal the receipt of taxable income, and to avoid the FBAR reporting
- 5 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 5 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
requirements. The evidence establishes an agreement to defraud between Kerr and
Quiel, in conjunction and with the assistance of Rusch, based on the elaborate steps
undertaken by the defendants to fraudulently sheltered unreported income that they
controlled in the undeclared nominee accounts, their knowledge of each others’
nominee accounts, and the transfer of funds between nominee accounts for each others’
benefit.
I. Kerr and Quiel sought Rusch’s assistance and advice to conceal their ownership
of foreign accounts and money transacted through these accounts
A. Establishing Entities/Accounts
In or about December 2006 and May 2007, Rusch assisted Kerr and Quiel in
creating several nominee corporations in Switzerland. For Kerr, Rusch assisted in the
incorporation of Red Rock Investment, AG (“Red Rock”) and “Swiss Fidelity
Investment, AG (“Swiss Fidelity”). See Exhibit 2. In October of 2007, Rusch also
created a nominee entity known as Cyril Capital, LLC, organized in St. Kitts & Nevis
on Kerr’s behalf. Id. For Quiel, Rusch assisted in the incorporation of Legacy Asset
Management, AG (“Legacy”) and Swiss International Trust Company, AG (“Swiss
International”). Id. According to documents provided by Rusch, in September 2006,
he was purportedly engaged by Kerr’s company, Corporate Communications Network,
and Quiel’s company, Lynn-Cole, to assist in the establishment of these Swiss
companies, described as “Swiss investment funds.” See Exhibit 3. Other documents3
provided by Rusch indicate his involvement in setting up secret bank accounts on behalf
of these entities. Included in the documents provided by Rusch are emails from Rusch
to Kerr and Quiel dated September 8 and 18, 2006, in which Rusch provides them legal
advice regarding the setting up of their nominee foreign entities. Id. The emails
Although the engagement letter for Lynn-Cole is signed by Quiel’s wife3
Victoria Quiel, it is clear from other documents received during the investigation,including the exhibited email correspondence, that Rusch was working on behalf ofQuiel rather than his wife.
- 6 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 6 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
establish that Rusch was retained to set up several “investment funds” or “venture
capital” firms in Switzerland. Id.
In or around January 2007, with the assistance of Rusch, Kerr and Quiel opened
new secret bank accounts at UBS in Switzerland in the names of Red Rock and Legacy,
respectively. In June 2007, Kerr and Quiel, with Rusch’s assistance, opened other
secret UBS bank accounts in the name of Swiss Fidelity and Swiss International. See
Exhibit 2. In or about November 2007, Kerr, with the assistance of Rusch, opened a
third secret UBS bank account in the name of Cyril Capital. Id. An October 24, 2006
email from Rusch indicates he obtained passports from Kerr and Quiel in order to open
the secret accounts. See Exhibit 4.
Included among the documents provided by UBS are substitute forms for IRS
Form W-8BEN for each of the above-referenced entities. The forms falsely state that
these entities, and not Kerr or Quiel, were the beneficial owners of the nominee UBS
accounts. See Exhibit 5. Also included in the documents provided by UBS, however,
were “Form A”, Verification of the Beneficial Owner’s Identity, and other related
documents indicating that Kerr and Quiel are the beneficial owners of the above-
mentioned nominee UBS accounts. See Exhibit 2. A review of account signature cards
for each of the nominee bank accounts demonstrates that Rusch was the authorized
signatory on the account and therefore was able to conduct transactions to and from the
accounts. See Exhibit 6.
Kerr and Quiel were also the beneficial owners of additional nominee Swiss
bank accounts at Pictet & Cie (“Pictet”), held in the name of their respective nominee
entities Red Rock and Legacy. See Exhibit 7. Chris Rusch retained power of attorney
over the account. Quiel’s Pictet records for Legacy reflects a transfer to and various
deposits from Kerr’s Pictet account in the name of Red Rock. The records reflect the
existence of Kerr’s own nominee Pictet account held in the name of Red Rock. Again,
Rusch is power of attorney over this account. Id.
- 7 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 7 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
B. Transactions/ Transfers Conducted by Rusch on Behalf of Kerr and Quiel
Information gathered through the UBS records and from domestic sources
indicate that the nominee Swiss accounts were funded with shares of stock and
proceeds from the sale of stock that Kerr and Quiel obtained from companies they
helped take public. The documents establish that Kerr and Quiel engaged Rusch to
conduct transactions related to the foreign accounts to further conceal their ownership
interest. UBS account statements establish that on or about December 17, 2007, Rusch
transferred $2,000,000 from his Wells Fargo Bank client trust account to Kerr’s UBS
Cyril Capital account. See Exhibit 8. The notation on the transfer indicates that the
deposit represents the proceeds from the sale of “INTL” stock—one of the businesses
Kerr and Quiel were involved in taking public. Id. A trace of these proceeds using
Rusch’s client trust account statements demonstrates that the money was first deposited
into Rusch’s account on or about November 30, 2007. See Exhibit 9. The transferor
to Rusch’s client trust account was Pershing LLC on behalf of Vision Opportunity
Master Fund, a private equity hedge fund that invested in Intelligentias stock. Id.
Similarly, it is clear from account statements that on or about February 29, 2008,
Vision Opportunity Master Fund (through another financial firm known as Jeffries &
Company) transferred $872,000 to Rusch’s client trust account, again related to its
purchase of Intelligentias stock. See Exhibit 10. Rusch then transferred a portion of
the proceeds, $670,602, to Kerr’s Cyril Capital UBS account a few weeks later. Id.
Wells Fargo account records show that on or about September 4, 2008, in two separate
transactions, Rusch transferred $1,000,000 to both Kerr’s and Quiel’s respective Pictet
accounts in the names of Red Rock and Legacy. See Exhibit 11.
Rusch’s domestic client trust account at Wells Fargo Bank was also used to
repatriate the money from Kerr’s and Quiel’s Swiss bank accounts back into the U.S.
On December 8, 2008, Rusch received a $399,980 wire transfer deposit to his client
trust account from Quiel’s Pictet account in the name of Legacy. See Exhibit 12. Two
- 8 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 8 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
days later, Rusch wrote a check drawn on his client trust account in the amount of
$400,000 made payable to Quiel’s investment fund, Legend Asset Opportunity Fund,
LTD. Id. On or about November 6, 2008, Rusch received a $1,000,000 wire transfer4
deposit in his client trust account from Kerr’s Pictet account in the name of Red Rock.
On November 12 and 18, 2008, he also received deposits of $949,963.13 and $3,313.19
from Kerr’s UBS Cyril Capital account. See Exhibit 13.
Rusch assisted Kerr in the purchase of a golf course in Colorado with repatriated
funds from Kerr’s undeclared Swiss bank accounts. According to account statements
from Rusch’s Wells Fargo account, shortly after the transfers to Rusch’s account in the
amounts of $1,000,000, $949,963.13 and $3,313.19 (Exhibit 13) from Kerr’s Pictet and
UBS accounts, on November 14, 2008, Rusch transferred $2,008,887 from his account
to an escrow account at the First Bank of Colorado. See Exhibit 14. Records related
to the purchase and operation of the golf course indicate that these funds represented
Kerr’s contribution toward the purchase of what is now the Colorado National Golf
Club, LLC in Erie, Colorado, for $7,850,000 (the remaining approximately $5,475,000
was financed through Mile High Bank). See Exhibit 15. Escrow records reflect that
the purchaser of the golf course was Colorado National Golf Club, LLC. The members
of the LLC are The Buffs & Bruins Irrevocable Trust (97% interest) and Worldnet
Corporate Services (3% interest). Id. The Buffs & Bruins Irrevocable Trust was
created by Kerr, who asked his daughter, Shannon Kerr, to act as trustee. Kerr acted
as the “manager” of the LLC and the LLC’s address is the same as Kerr’s company
CCN Worldwide. Worldnet is a Panamanian corporation associated with Rusch. Rusch
filed an FBAR in tax year 2009 reflecting his interest in a Panamanian bank account in
the name of Worldnet Corporate Services. Id.
The $20 difference between the two transactions is likely a wire transfer fee4
associated with the deposit from Quiel’s Pictet account.- 9 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 9 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
C. Failure to Report Income on Tax Returns/Failure to File Appropriate
FBARs
Neither Kerr nor Quiel reported the existence of, or any income earned from
their Swiss bank accounts on their U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns during 2007 and
2008. Neither Kerr nor Quiel disclosed the existence of these accounts, including
accounts at UBS and Pictet, on the required FBAR forms during the corresponding
years.
Kerr signed under penalty of perjury and filed a joint U.S. Individual Income
Tax Return, Form 1040, with his wife for tax year 2007, on or about April 15, 2008.
See Exhibit 16. The return does not report capital gains generated from stock sales in
Kerr’s undeclared UBS accounts and proceeds of Intelligentias stock sales sent to his
undeclared UBS accounts, as is required to be reported on Schedule D. The return also
does not report interest income and dividend income generated by the securities in
Kerr’s undeclared foreign accounts as is required to be reported on Schedule B.
Finally, the return falsely states that Kerr did not maintain an interest in, or signature
or other authority over a financial account in a foreign country, as box 7a of Schedule
B, related to the disclosure of foreign bank accounts, is checked “No.” On or about
April 15, 2009, Kerr signed under penalty of perjury and filed a joint U.S. Individual
Income Tax Return, Form 1040, with his wife for tax year 2008. See Exhibit 17.
Similar to the 2007 return, Kerr’s 2008 return falsely states that Kerr did not maintain
an interest in any foreign bank accounts and does not report capital gains or interest
income related to the stock and proceeds held in the undeclared foreign accounts. Id.
Quiel signed under penalty of perjury and filed a joint U.S. Individual Income
Tax Return, Form 1040, with his wife for tax year 2007, on or about April 15, 2008.
See Exhibit 18. The return failed to report capital gains generated from stock sales in
Quiel’s undeclared UBS accounts, and proceeds of Intelligentias stock sales sent to his
undeclared UBS accounts, as is required to be reported on Schedule D. The return also
- 10 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 10 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
failed to report interest income as is required to be reported on Schedule B. Finally, the
return falsely states that Quiel did not maintain an interest in, or authority over a
financial account in Switzerland. Box 7a of Schedule B is checked “Yes” on this
return, however, the only foreign bank account that is disclosed is the account Quiel
maintained in Belize. On or about April 9, 2009, Quiel signed under penalty of perjury
and filed a joint U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040, with his wife for tax
year 2008. See Exhibit 19. Similar to the 2007 return, Quiel’s 2008 return failed to
disclose Quiel’s interest in Swiss foreign bank accounts and fails to report capital gains
generated from stock sales. Id.
Kerr also never filed an FBAR for 2007 or 2008 as required by law given his
interest in foreign bank accounts with an aggregate value of more than $10,000.
Although Quiel did file an FBAR in 2007 and 2008, that report only disclosed his
interest in a Belize account reflected on his filed tax returns. See Exhibit 20. Quiel
began filing FBARs disclosing the Belize account after an IRS audit regarding his
foreign bank accounts in 2006. Quiel failed to disclose his interest in the Swiss
accounts on the FBARs he did file.
II. Communications between Rusch and Kerr and/or Quiel were used in
furtherance of conspiracy to defraud the IRS
The defendants are charged in the indictment with conspiracy to defraud, among
other charges. In order to convict an individual of conspiring to defraud the United5
Kerr and Quiel were also charged with filing false returns in violation of5
§7206(1) of Title 26 and failing to file FBARs in violation of §5314, §5322(a) of Title31. The evidence outlined in this memorandum—including evidence with respect toestablishing the nominee accounts, transferring money to and from the accounts, andconcealing their ownership interests therein—further demonstrates a reasonableprobability that Kerr and Quiel utilized Rusch’s services to engage in these chargedcrimes. To the extent that the government does not have to show that Kerr and Quielutilized Rusch’s services to engage in the specific crimes outlined in the indictment tomeet its burden with respect to establishing the applicability of the crime-fraudexception, (see In re Grand Jury Proceedings, 87 F.3d at 381), the government has notincluded a specific analysis of these charges within this memorandum. The governmenthas instead focused its analysis to demonstrate a reasonable probability that Kerr and
- 11 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 11 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
States in violation of 18 U.S.C. §371, the government must prove beyond a reasonable
doubt that the defendants: (1) entered into an agreement; (2) to obstruct a lawful
function of the government; (3) by deceitful or dishonest means; and (4) committed at
least one overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy. United States v. Caldwell, 989 F.2d
1056, 1059 (9th Cir. 1993). Of course, the government need not prove the conspiracy
charge beyond a reasonable doubt here to allow the Court to make the crime-fraud
determination it now seeks. Instead, the government can demonstrate that there is a
reasonable basis to believe that Rusch’s communications were used in furtherance of
Kerr’s and Quiel’s attempt to conspire to defraud the government.
There is substantial evidence based on the documents cited above, including for
example the email correspondence included in Exhibit 3, to establish an agreement
between Kerr and Quiel, in conjunction and with the assistance of Rusch, to engage in
a scheme to defraud the government. Additionally, the fact finder can draw the
inference that there were confidential oral communications between the parties in
furtherance of the scheme based on the evidence of the elaborate steps undertaken by
the defendants, including the establishment of the accounts, the inter-account transfers,
and repatriation of funds though Rusch’s client trust account. See United States v.
Hernandez, 876 F.2d 774, 778 (9th Cir. 1989) (noting that coordination between
defendants is strong circumstantial evidence that parties have entered into an
agreement).
Kerr and Quiel conspired to conceal unreported income and fraudulently
sheltered income in undeclared nominee Swiss bank accounts. UBS and Pictet records
establish Kerr and Quiel’s ownership and control over these accounts, their knowledge
of each others’ nominee accounts, and the transfer of funds between nominee accounts
for each others’ benefit. Rusch aided Kerr and Quiel in establishing the nominee
Quiel utilized Rusch’s services in furtherance of the conspiracy to defraud thegovernment.
- 12 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 12 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
entities that were deliberately incorporated in countries other than the U.S. in order to
create the fiction that the Swiss “account-holders” were non-U.S. taxpayers and
therefore triggered no reporting requirement by the bank. See e.g. Exhibit 5. The
scheme was an elaborate subterfuge set up with Rusch’s legal assistance and advice to
create separation between Kerr and Quiel and their lucrative offshore holdings. It is
irrelevant for crime-fraud evaluation purposes whether Rusch was aware that Kerr and
Quiel failed to report their offshore interests on their return as the case law makes plain
that the inquiry is not dependant on proof that Rusch was aware of his clients’ failure
to file accurate tax returns or the necessary FBAR forms. See In re Grand Jury
Proceedings, 87 F.3d at 379.
The Rusch documents and other evidence establish, at a minimum, that
confidential communications were exchanged between Rusch and Kerr and Quiel
regarding the setting up of the nominee entities and bank accounts. Any confidential
communications regarding the other allegations in the indictment, including the use and
maintenance of the entities and accounts, the transfer of assets to and from the various
accounts, and the subsequent purchase of assets with money from the accounts, would
also be subject to the crime-fraud exception. The government has met its burden of
establishing reasonable cause to believe that Kerr and Quiel utilized Rusch’s services
in furtherance of a scheme or fraud, thereby rendering confidential communications
between the parties regarding the allegations in the indictment exempt from a valid
claim of privilege.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, the government respectfully requests that the Court
make a determination that any oral communications between Rusch and Kerr and Quiel
in furtherance of the conspiracy to defraud and other charged crimes are exempt from
the protection afforded by the attorney-client privilege. The government further
requests that the Court order that Rusch may discuss any and all matters regarding
- 13 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 13 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Rusch’s representation of Kerr and Quiel related to the allegations in the indictment,
including oral communications, because the crime-fraud exception overcomes any valid
claim of attorney-client privilege in this case.
DATED this 27 day of April, 2012th
Respectfully submitted,ANN BIRMINGHAM SCHEELActing United States Attorney
____/s/______________________MONICA B. EDELSTEINTIMOTHY J. STOCKWELLTrial AttorneysUnited States Department of JusticeTax Division
- 14 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 14 of 15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on this date, April 27 , I electronically transmitted the attached documentth
to the Clerk’s Office using the CM/ECF and caused a copy to be electronicallytransmitted to all CM/ECF registrants under this cause number.
______/s/_______________
Monica B. Edelstein
Trial Attorney
Department of Justice Tax Division
- 15 -
Case 2:11-cr-02385-JAT Document 67 Filed 04/27/12 Page 15 of 15