Helio Castroneves Wins Race Despite Legal Woes

Access Hollywood - October 6, 2008 12:20 PM PDT
Story photo: Helio Castroneves Wins Race Despite Legal WoesAccess Hollywood

BRASELTON, Ga. -- Tax trouble didn't slow down Helio Castroneves on Saturday. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner - and "Dancing with the Stars" Season Five champ - won the Petit Le Mans race at Braselton, Georgia's Road Atlanta, according to the Associated Press.

"It has been a difficult two days, but to finish first, it turned out to be a good day," Castroneves told the Associated Press. "It was a great day, and we're going to continue to move forward."

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As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, the racing champ was charged with one count of conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion in Miami on Thursday, over what authorities allege is his failure to pay over $5 million in taxes. His sister and business manager, Katiucia Castroneves, is also facing charges, as is his attorney, Alan Miller.

Helio plead not guilty in court on Friday. According to the Associated Press, he was released on a $10 million bail and is permitted to race in the U.S., allowing him to wind up in the winner's circle at Petit Le Mans - a feat he says he'll duplicate in court.

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"This problem is like a race," he told the Associated Press on Saturday. "And we're going to win."

But for now, he seemed happy to be back doing what he does best.

"When you're out in the car you're the only one," he said. "That was perfect for me. ... The fans kept me going. They gave me an immense amount of support. I was very touched."

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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Helio Castroneves - Courts - Celebrities - Dancing With the Stars - Athletes

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  • SA
    Send his ass back to whatever piss hole country he is from. You don't pay your taxes, get the hell out of the U.S. I'm tired of paying for these immigrants who can't follow the rules!
    report abuseposted April 17, 2009 7:43 PM PDT
  • v245
    give him a break and his day in court. i can't believe that his bail was 10 mil when he is allegedly owing 5 million. let him prove his case in court. he's a decent guy with a good smile and best of wishes to him. that's the beauty of our country everyone can come & work hard and succeed. don't besmirch his success for fear of besmirching your own... karma
    report abuseposted October 6, 2008 10:17 PM PDT
  • notaynkeefan
    The IRS should have been standing there to take what he won before he could skip out again. All deposits going to his bank account should be redirected to the U S treasury.
    report abuseposted October 6, 2008 3:24 PM PDT
  • Dean B
    Kick him out of the country but first let's take all his money. He is trash and probably here illegally. What a tool.
    report abuseposted October 5, 2008 10:08 PM PDT
  • pattijen
    I was so disappointed to hear this news about Helio. I only knew of him from DWTS. I'm hoping that these charges are false. He should be grateful for his good fortune by being in this country. He should not be trying to swindle our government out of money. Again, let's hope these charges against him are just not true.
    report abuseposted October 5, 2008 7:03 PM PDT

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