Famous Dancer and Racer Helio Castroneves charged in Tax Case

The 33-year-old Brazilian auto racing driver and winner of famous Dancing with the Stars, Helio Castroneves was accused Thursday in a federal income tax case in Miami, Florida. Helio Castroneves has been charged for not paying taxes on more than $5 millions. The charges are Conspiracy to Defraud the U.S. and Tax Evasion.

Helio was indicted along with his sister, Katiucia Castroneves and Alan Miller, Helio's lawyer. The three are charged with conspiracy for the purpose of impeding, impairing, obstructing, and defeating the lawful government functions of the Internal Revenue Service. They are accused of trying to "conceal and disguise" Helio's income. One of the charges that Helio received $2 million in salary from a Brazilian trading company but made it appear that he only received $200,000.

Castroneves, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, has won the Indianapolis 500 twice and is currently second in the IndyCar Series points standings. However he was into limelight because of his stunning performanece in Dancing With the Stars" TV reality show competition. He and partner Julianne Hough also won the 2007". If all the charges are proved in court, he is expected to get penalty of 35 years in prison. Poor champ!

(Sources: people.com, tmz.com)