Estate of Frank Johnson - Page 144




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               We found Katherine’s and her siblings’ testimony conflicting           
          and implausible for the most part.  We agree with respondent that           
          Katherine’s highly implausible and incredible story of receiving            
          a substantial cash hoard from her father is another indication of           
          fraudulent intent.                                                          
                    (8)  Level of Education, Age, and State of Health                 
               Petitioners contend that Frank and Katherine had no formal             
          education and were illiterate.  Additionally, petitioners contend           
          that during the years in issue Frank and Katherine were elderly,            
          unsophisticated, and suffering from serious illnesses.                      
          Petitioners assert that Frank and Katherine relied on their                 
          accountant to prepare their returns because of their lack of                
          education.  Petitioners, in effect, argue that those factors                
          negate any inferences of fraud on the part of Frank or Katherine.           
               Under the circumstances here presented, we do not agree with           
          petitioners’ position that Frank’s and Katherine’s lack of formal           
          education, illiteracy, age, lack of sophistication, or health               
          negate inferences of fraud.  Although Frank and Katherine may               
          have had no formal education, they do not appear from the record            
          to have lacked business acumen or sophistication.  Dr. Schwartz             
          described Katherine as a bright woman and sharp most of the time.           
          Katherine ran a successful palmistry business for more than                 
          50 years.  The circumstance that Katherine kept some records                
          relating to her business that she gave to Baptiste for the                  






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