Corporate and legal filings
Legal documents are typically boring by design. Mixed in with the boilerplate language, however, can be critical clues and insights. These are among the most important filings for any company, and have the highest standard for accuracy, with disclosures commonly made under penalty of perjury. (A company lying to the press and public, on the other hand, is not necessarily committing a crime.)
Cinefamily’s founding governance documents are atypical for a non-profit. One expert called them “sketchy.” A raft of other government filings show Cinefamily in and out of delinquent status over time. Filings also show that Dan Harkham started Fairfax Cinema before announcing Cinefamily’s closure.
Companies must provide (and keep up-to-date) basic governance and legal liability disclosures to the Secretary of State. As of November 2019, neither Cinefamily nor Fairfax Cinema appears to have the full complement of appropriate documents on file with the state. Two different Fairfax creditors have filed documents with the California secretary of state regarding financing.
In California, nonprofits are further overseen by the Attorney General’s office. As of November 2019, Cinefamily has been suspended by both the Franchise Tax Board and the Attorney General following repeated delinquencies over the years. A 2018 dissolution attempt was seen as deficient.
Fairfax Cinema
Financing statements (UCCs) are filed by creditors to note their property interest
Community Bank of Pasadena (2018)
Complete document available on request
Cinefamily - Governance
Cinefamily - Delinquency
Attorney General Notices of Delinquency and Incomplete Reports
Cinefamily - Other filings
Election of Dissolution (July 2018) — see, however, relevant context