Brace yourselves. And Mom, leave the room…
Race car driver, former “Dancing With the Stars” champion and all around hottie (yes, I can say that on a tax blog) Helio Castroneves is facing federal tax charges in Miami.
The 33 year old racing and dancing phenom was indicted today by a grand jury on charges of tax evasion. He is charged with using offshore accounts to hide millions of dollars in income from the IRS. Specifically, he is charged with concealing income from Penske Racing Inc. and the Brazilian firm Coimex International S.A. The charges are conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion for the years 1999 to 2004. Also included in the indictment were Castroneves’ sister (Katiucia Castroneves), business manager and attorney.
Castroneves is a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil but currently lives in a $2.3 million home in Florida. He has won the Indianapolis 500 twice – the youngest driver to do so – and is currently second in the IndyCar Series points standings.
But really, you and I best know him as the race car driver who took the 2007 “Dancing With the Stars” competition by storm, along with the adorable Julianne Hough. He danced a mean samba. We’ll see what his next act will be…
Maybe you should offer to consult with the show to make sure contestants are leading with their best foot in making their returns. I’d hate to see Brooke Burke for example end up in the slammer.
That’s a terrific idea! “taxgirl: Tax Consultant to the Stars!”
I got dinged on something in 1995, 1996, or 1997 it is one of those years and I can never get a hold of anyone to talk to about this problem. I have spent over 55 hours waiting for someone to answer the phone.
I think the question we’re not asking here is “who finished 2nd?” A little revenge, maybe? Or maybe the IRS man was a big fan of the German soccer team back in 1998 and is still bitter about the World Cup Final.
Paul B. Kennedy
Attorney at Law
http://kennedy-law.biz
Paul, that’s exactly what I posted in my update today! I think the feds may have been Scary Spice fans… although someone suggested on twitter that it may really have to do with a bigger investigation. I’ll keep you posted.