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For 2.6 million all kinds of improvements are being made on this 4,000 acre ranch property that his charity owns. And that this charity is obligated by contract to sell the ranch, or most of the ranch, to Imus for one dollar in year 2012.

** my speculation

"I will give Imus credit for creativity in coming up with this scam and suckering in so many people. Listening to him on a daily basis selling pieces of the ranch to various donors was hilarious. Currently, he spends about 3 to 4 months at the ranch, 10 weeks with the kids and two to four weeks for XMAS and Easter, etc. He rides his horses, many of them donated, drives his donated SUVs, and teaches his son Wyatt about how to be a cowboy. The Imus foundation bears most of the ranch's operating costs and maintenance of its lavish furnishings. "

Well this is another lie that Imus has been caught in.

Today, he stated today that he only spends limited time at the ranch. He states that he must take medication in order to breath while at the ranch, so he avoids the place.

"Imus told the newspaper that he and his wife ran the charity from New York and spent time at the ranch primarily when children were there to participate in the charity programs. "

"I've got a penthouse apartment in New York and a mansion in Westport (Conn.). Why would I go someplace that I can't breathe," said Imus, referring to medications he takes to help with breathing while he's at the ranch."

Source: http://www.westportnow.com/archives/011104.htm

A Foundation was set up to run the ranch with Imus and his wife as the Directors. I don't know if the Foundation owns the ranch or if Imus allows the foundation to use it under some sort of agreement. Regardless of the legal arrangements, you can be sure that Imus retains control and that his heirs will inherit it. In fact, Wyatt could eventually be paid a salary to run it.

I am not knocking celebrities who give charitable donations and set up foundations to assist the needy. In the case of Imus, he is personally and transparently benefitting from this enterprise. The Architectural Digest article is unintentionally revealing about how lavish an operation this is. The ranch is a showpiece, which caters more to the egos of the Imus family then to the needs of kids.