- 9 - conduct an in camera investigation before rejecting his Fifth Amendment claim. Petitioner declined to testify at trial, and the Court did not order him to testify. Because this is neither a criminal proceeding nor a contempt proceeding and no direct sanction was imposed against petitioner as a result of his refusal to testify, the cases on which he relies are not in point. See, e.g., United States v. Drollinger, 80 F.3d 389, 392 (9th Cir. 1996); United States v. Bodwell, 66 F.3d 1000, 1001 (9th Cir. 1995); United States v. Neff, 615 F.2d 1235, 1240 (9th Cir. 1980); United States v. Pierce, 561 F.2d 735, 741 (9th Cir. 1977). The documentary and testimonial evidence presented by respondent satisfied respondent’s burden to connect petitioner to the income determined in the statutory notice. See Johnston v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2000-315 (and cases cited therein). He did not present credible evidence that would affect the burden of proof under section 7491(a). In addition, the evidence presented by respondent satisfied respondent’s burden of production with respect to the penalties. See sec. 7491(c); Higbee v. Commissioner, 116 T.C. 438, 446-449 (2001). The burden is on petitioner to prove that respondent’s determinations are erroneous. He cannot avoid that burden by claiming the Fifth Amendment privilege and attempting to convert “the shield * * * which it was intended to be into a sword”. United States v.Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011