I think the fuel thing is just an inconsequential side-effect of having their aircraft based at Moffett. It's not like there is a commercial vendor selling fuel

I think the fuel thing is just an inconsequential side-effect of having their aircraft based at Moffett. It's not like there is a commercial vendor selling fuel at Moffett, so of course they bought it from the only place available on the airport. And apparently that's subsidized government fuel or not taxed in the same way. What else were they supposed to do if the aircraft are based there? I don't see how that's a big deal. It seems like it's just a matter of course. The bigger question is why they're basing the entirety of their fleet at Moffett when only one aircraft is involved in research. As for the folks with their eyebrows raised over the "shell company" that owns the aircraft, this is a very common practice in the aviation business. Nothing out of the ordinary or shady at all.