Eugene A. Beck, et al. - Page 42




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               B.  Conclusion                                                         
               The existence of fraud is a question of fact to be resolved            
          by consideration of the entire record.  Parks v. Commissioner, 94           
          T.C. at 660; Gajewski v. Commissioner, 67 T.C. 181, 199 (1976),             
          affd. without published opinion 578 F.2d 1383 (8th Cir. 1978).              
          We do not impute or presume fraud, and we do not find fraud on              
          the basis of circumstances that do no more than create a                    
          suspicion of fraud.  Green v. Commissioner, 66 T.C. 538, 550                
          (1976).  Although respondent is not required to establish fraud             
          beyond a reasonable doubt, the "clear and convincing" standard              
          requires that he establish fraud by more than a preponderance of            
          the evidence.  Kellett v. Commissioner, 5 T.C. at 616.                      
               Although Mr. Beck's omissions of income were substantial,              
          alone they do not provide clear and convincing evidence that he             
          intended to evade tax.  The other indicia of fraud that we have             
          considered are inconclusive or show a lack of fraudulent intent.            
          Mr. Beck's explanations for his failures to report all income               
          were neither implausible nor inconsistent, and the circumstances            
          surrounding the omissions are as consistent with innocent mistake           
          as with willful evasion.                                                    
               What has been proved is a negligent or, at most, a willful             
          disregard of rules or regulations.  After examining the record,             
          we conclude that Mr. Beck lacked the specific intent to evade tax           
          that is required to find fraud.                                             






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