Helio Castroneves in Tears, Pleads Not Guilty to Tax Fraud

Us Magazine - October 3, 2008 8:08 PM PDT
Story photo: Helio Castroneves in Tears, Pleads Not Guilty to Tax FraudHelio Castroneves attends the 23rd Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner to Cure Paralysis on September 22, 2008 in New York City.Us Magazine
Dancing With the Stars champ Helio Castroneves has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion, according to TMZ.com.

The Brazilian professional race car driver, 33, was brought into his arraignment in cuffs and shackles and cried throughout the hearing in a Miami court Friday afternoon, the site reports.

He was ordered released on $10 million bail.

Castronoves had to give up his passport and is not permitted to travel anywhere outside the United States.

The site reports he can still participate in a 10-hour auto race scheduled for Saturday.

On Thursday, Castronoves was indicted Thursday for using offshore accounts to hide about $5.5 million in income from the Internal Revenue Service between 1999 and 2004.

If convicted of all charges, he faces a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison.

Before his court appearance Friday, one of Castronoves' attorneys, David Garvin, told the Associated Press his client "did not do anything wrong. We're looking forward to going to court."

"Helio has always done the appropriate thing and hired accountants and attorneys he relied upon," Garvin said.

His sister, Katiucia, and attorney Alan R. Miller are also facing charges.



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comments 1-10 of 23  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • anette g
    I know, imagine lawyers and accountants who are dishonest, who would have thought itl. Has anyone seen the $700 BILLION dollar bail out plan. talk about corruption at its highest level....
    report abuseposted October 4, 2008 12:53 PM PDT
  • ClaudiaK
    None of these people here care that he does not prepare his taxes, he has accountants and these are the ones that handle his finances and papers. He is not the first to get cheated and crooked people though, that is why they arrested his sister and his lawyer. He more than likely was getting ripped off by these people. Sure people feel sorry for him,the truth will come out on who screwed who.
    report abuseposted October 4, 2008 4:52 AM PDT
  • VitaminC
    This man did not prepare his taxes, nor manage his finances. He hires people, professional people and most likely entrusted their choices and decisions. Wesley simply refuses to pay taxes based on his personal convictions. I dont think Helio is in the same category. I wish him well, and take no pleasure in the position he finds himself in.
    report abuseposted October 4, 2008 3:28 AM PDT
  • Debbie R
    This is exactly how the rich get their money....Lies and cheating!!!!!! Who's crying now? No sympathy here.
    report abuseposted October 4, 2008 2:57 AM PDT
  • Richard H
    I would like to see a Flat tax rate same for all
    report abuseposted October 4, 2008 2:04 AM PDT
  • CI
    FYI, Anne C, according to the IRS (2006 data) the top 1% pay 40% of all income taxes collected, the top 5% pay 60% and the top 25% pay 86%. The bottom 50% pay on;y 3%. Just because this cheat didn't pay his share doesn't mean the rich don't pay. They pretty much pay for everyone.
    report abuseposted October 4, 2008 1:13 AM PDT
  • AC
    Why is it that multimillionaires think that they are exempt to things like taxes. Middle class people are expected to pick up the tab for the upper class. When are things going to become fair, the more you make the more you pay and the less you make the less you pay. Not the other way around.
    report abuseposted October 4, 2008 12:33 AM PDT
  • jazzy g
    DEATH AND TAXES....DEATH AND TAXES !!!! why don't people believe that this is true ??!! i bet that old girlfriend ratted him out after the 'DWTS" SCANDAL WITH JULIANNE !! remember the engagement went out the window after the show !
    report abuseposted October 4, 2008 12:26 AM PDT
  • Michelle
    MissPriss, what about all the Americans ripping off America and getting away with it? I love America & am a proud American but our own government rips us off......so coming to America from another country has nothing to do with his situation. I wish him luck.
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
  • JP
    To Cory B: Yes, I CAN blame him. He uses US highways, enjoys the protections of our police and fire departments, maybe even sends his kid to our public schools - all that and much more are paid for by the taxes of US citizens. But you feel sorry for him because he is SO rich that it puts him in a high tax bracket and therefore think its okay for him not to pay taxes on his US-earned millions?!
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 11:33 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 23  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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