- 21 -
acquainted, including an accountant, an attorney, and a
communications consultant, to apprise Mr. Mussman of potential
opportunities to acquire other local telephone companies. On the
record presented in the instant cases, it is not clear whether
Mr. Mussman intended and planned to have NITCO or individual
members of the Mussman family ultimately acquire other telephone
companies.
In 1990, NITCO contacted two local telephone companies about
the possibility of acquiring them. One telephone company replied
that it was not for sale; the other company never responded to
NITCO's inquiry.
Additionally, in 1990, Rhys visited another local telephone
company located in Tennessee to examine its operations and to
discuss its possible purchase. Rhys' trip took place after the
IRS’ commencement of the examinations that resulted in the
instant cases.
From 1987 through the time of trial, NITCO did not enter
into a contract to purchase another local telephone company.
I. NITCO's Provision of Financial Assistance to
Mr. Mussman's Sons and Various Companies the Sons Owned
Rhys and Northwestern Indiana CATV, Inc.
Prior to 1983, Northwestern Indiana CATV, Inc. (NICATV), a
corporation that Rhys owned, applied for and was issued a license
by the FCC to offer cable television services in certain areas in
Page: Previous 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NextLast modified: May 25, 2011