Helio Castroneves, 33, may have danced his way into the hearts of America on Dancing with the Stars, but he’ll be doing a different dance tomorrow when he appears for his arraignment in Miami. He has been charged with conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion from 1999-2004. The maximum penalty is 35 years in prison if he is convicted.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has accused Castroneves of siphoning millions of dollars to offshore companies. He reportedly diverted income from a sponsorship deal as well as his contract income as a driver for Penski Racing. He and his sister are also accused of filing false income tax returns.
The famed Brazilian race car driver is a member of Team Penske and has reportedly failed to pay more than $5 million in taxes over a four year period. Not an oversight to be sure – he allegedly schemed with his 35 year old sister Katiucia ‘Kati’ Castroneves, who serves as his business manager, and his 71 year old attorney Alan Miller.
Castroneves has a mansion in Coral Gables, Florida. The three defendants will surrender to authorities and will make their initial appearance in front of a Miami judge on Friday in federal court.
Helio Castroneves won the Indianapolis 500 in both 2001 and 2002 and finished second in 2003. In the IndyCar Series this year, Castroneves won the Sonoma Grand Prix in late August and has finished in second spot seven times. He is poised to win the 2008 IndyCar Series driver championship on points – just 30 points separate Helio and Scott Dixon. It would be his first points title.
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