Helio Castroneves To Be Indicted On Tax Evasion Charges

Access Hollywood - October 3, 2008 12:01 AM PDT
Story photo: Helio Castroneves To Be Indicted On Tax Evasion ChargesAccess Hollywood

Miami, FL -- Season 5 "Dancing With the Stars" winner Helio Castroneves is facing federal indictment charges in Miami, Florida.

Castroneves, a professional race car driver, is being indicted by a federal grand jury, Access Hollywood has learned.

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Castroneves, who danced to victory in 2007 in the "DWTS" ballroom with professional partner Julianne Hough, will face a total of seven charges - one count of conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion.

The Sao Paolo-bred Brazilian's sister, Katiucia Castroneves, who is Helio's business manager, is also facing charges, as is his attorney, Alan Miller.

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The charges stem from what authorities claim is failure to pay over $5 million in taxes.

In indictment information released on Thursday and obtained by Access Hollywood affiliate WTVJ in Miami, the driver is accused of having earned $600K for a deal with Coimex, a Brazilian import and export company, for which U.S. officials claim he only reported $50K on his income tax.

View the indictment HERE.

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They also claim Helio, his sister and lawyer "engaged in a scheme to avoid paying taxes on $5,000,000," stemming from a licensing agreement. The trio allegedly developed a "deferred royalty plan," according to officials, which required Penske, the organization Helio races for, to send the money to an offshore company.

On Thursday, a rep for Penske confirmed to Access that Castroneves has been ordered to surrender in Miami on Friday, October 3, where he is expected to be arraigned. While a rep for Penske said the star had been notified by his attorney about the indictment, it was unclear if Castroneves would be in court on Friday.

A man who answered Castroneves' cell phone on Thursday morning told Access that the star is currently at Le Mans. The Penske rep confirmed Castroneves is indeed practicing at Road Atlanta where the Petite Le Mans race (in which he is due to compete), will be held on Saturday.

Helio and Katiucia Castroneves face a maximum of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and five years in prison on each of the six tax evasion counts, for a total of 35 potential years. Alan Miller is only listed on 4 of the 7 charges and could face 20 years.

"Taxpayers, small and large, famous and not famous, should be aware of the enormously severe consequences they face if they fraudulently use offshore accounts to hide income, including potentially going to prison, paying back all their taxes plus interest and penalties, and being branded a felon for the rest of their lives," Nathan J. Hochman, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Tax Division said in a statement.

Castroneves, who is known by racing fans as "Spider-Man" due to his penchant for climbing fences post-race to reach fans, previously won the Indy 500 in 2001 and 2002.

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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Dancing With the Stars - Helio Castroneves - Train Wrecks - TV One

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comments 1-10 of 62  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Gordy
    Yeah Helio pulled a rabbit out of his arss on this one, I love how the rich and famous trend of "We Can Get Away With Anything" because we can buy our way out of it...Rolls on! Us regular American citizens could not hide 5 dollars from the IRS let alone 5 million like helio did... bottomline..BS
    report abuseposted April 19, 2009 9:13 PM PDT
  • The D
    I'm with you, Steve M. Please refer to my previous comment.
    report abuseposted October 5, 2008 1:08 AM PDT
  • steve m
    I hope he gets away with it, it's all B.S. It's OK when our government steals from us though. abolish the IRS !!!!
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 9:53 PM PDT
  • Humpty Dumpty
    I would throw my legs up for him anytime, rain or shine. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 7:42 PM PDT
  • Punkin
    Why is it these people try to screw with their taxes while us USA real citizens work hard & pay our taxes, and these are people who make big bucks, go home if you can't abide by the rules. You make me sick!!!
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 7:01 PM PDT
  • observer
    What the heck happened to innocent until proven guilty or did I miss something did he have a trial already? Why are so many people so jealous because someone comes from another country and does? That's what makes America the greatest country in the world Remember that will you please?
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 6:51 PM PDT
  • s_dude
    I hope they realy go to jail for 35 yrs... I would love to see heio get raped in jail hahahahahhahaha loser
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 6:35 PM PDT
  • __A_YAHOO_USER__
    XD the irs is not owned by our government its owned and runed by the United Nations and he gets for doing what he did he is not above the law
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 5:54 PM PDT
  • The D
    Sorry to hear about Helio. He is one of my favorite drivers. A very talented man. I myself have had troubles with the IRS. My position is: screw the government any chance you get, whether you are American, Brazilian, rich, or poor. It would be a lot different if they actually used our tax money RESPONSIBLY!!!
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 4:57 PM PDT
  • dragonlady
    Hey Gbdup, I don't think Johnny Cochran can help him much. He is dead... Sigh....those adorable dimples gone to waste...
    report abuseposted October 3, 2008 4:45 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 62  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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