Helio's Trial Starts Today
By Andrew Cutler
March 2 2009
Today, March 2, will see the start of Helio Castroneves' tax evasion trial. The eleven year veteran of the CCWS ('98-'01) & IRL ('02-'08) racing circuts & two time Indy 500 winner ('01 & '02), stands accused of hiding more than $5 million from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in illegal off-shore bank accounts between 1999 & 2004.
Castroneves' older sister & business manager, Katiucia "Kati" Castroneves, & his attorney, Alan Miller, are also charged in the case. If convicted, the three could face up to five years in US federal prison.
The 33 year-old Brazilian, who has been one of the IndyCar Series' top stars, has maintained his innocence & repeatedly stated that he expects to be exonerated. Nonetheless, Team Penske has seen fit to hire driver Will Power to fill in for Helio during the preseason testing sessions, with the intention of using him to fill the seat if the trial ends with a conviction & jail time.
I will keep everyone updated as the details of the trial become available to the public.
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Day One of the trial was used up by the jury selection process. The jury will consist of seven women & five men.
Follow this link & watch the video: WRTV, Indianapolis.
Sounds like the plan is to blame daddy for this mess.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:03:13:08:02 by IndyAndy.