Similar structures using foundations have been used in the USA for many years, at least since the 1950s if not before. Congress investigated in 1952-53... htt

Similar structures using foundations have been used in the USA for many years, at least since the 1950s if not before. Congress investigated in 1952-53... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reece_Committee http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reece_Committee While it was not the thrust of the investigation, it did come to light that many rich people were using foundations as a way to shield themselves from taxes or to retain control of a company via a two-tier voting class for shares.