Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal
Castroneves gets court date, IndyCar season in jeopardy
IndyCar great Helio Castroneves is in the legal fight of his life, and the timing couldn't be worse (like seven felony counts ever come at a good time). Castroneves goes on trial for tax evasion charges on March 2 in Miami, just one month before the IndyCar season begins in St. Petersberg, Florida.Castroneves was indicted by the IRS on October 2 along with his sister/business manager and his lawyer, and the list of charges is substantial. Castroneves is going up against six tax evasion counts and one count of conspiracy with up to 35 years of jail time. Team Penske would undoubtedly love for the two-time Indy 500 champ to be free and clear of these allegations, but the successful race team is in a holding pattern due to its star racer's quandary. Helio's fame from racing and Dancing with the Stars will turn the case into a very big deal, and the courts will handle the case as such. That could mean a very lengthy trial for Helio and his crew, and a potentially embarrassing situation for Team Penske.
[Source: Auto Week | Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dukeisduke 9:32AM (11/13/2008)
What a dope. I just hope that this was his sister's idea, and he's able to plead ignorance. If he's convicted, maybe he can get a cell next to Wesley Snipes.
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AZZO45b 8:38PM (11/13/2008)
You are being the DOPE. Welsey Snipes had investment people who were openly "anti tax" ANYTHING & made these views pretty public. Part of Snipes' defense linked into this philosophy & he soundly lost his case.
Helio's facts are not yet known... the US Government's story is the only thing public, along with Helio's innocence claims. That's what a TRIAL is for & only the dumbest lawyer would spell out his defense in public (& months before trial).
Save your prejudice & wait for the trial... ever hear of INNOCENT until proven GUILTY?????
benderillo 9:32AM (11/13/2008)
You my friend are a tool.
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matt 9:58AM (11/13/2008)
maybe the date itself is a ploy to get him to do a plea bargain???
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Kumar 1:13PM (11/13/2008)
Wesley Snipes is clearing out the bottom bunk for Helio as we speak....
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Ray 6:15PM (11/13/2008)
I thought in this country you were innocent until proven guilty?
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S. Hofer 11:05PM (11/13/2008)
I don't know of he is guilty of tax evasion, but I don know he's guilty of taking blood money from a tobacco company for over a decade, and that's just as bad, if not worse.
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