Helio Castroneves: Faced charge for tax evasion

Helio Castroneves: Faced charge for tax evasion

Helio Castroneves, the former Dancing with the Stars winner faces charges of conspiring to hide 5.5 million dollars in income from the IRS in offshore accounts. Presently he is now in a six-week trial that began Monday in Miami.

It is reported that Helio could get six years of imprisonment if convicted.

This race car driver from Brazil won the Indianapolis 500 in 2001 and 2002. However he came to the limelight even greater in 2007 when he and his dancing partner, Julianne Hough won trophy popular ABC dance competition show.

Castroneves, who lives in Coral Gables, Fla., has said that he relied on the advice of experts for handling his finances. He also said that his father controlled the Panamanian company, ‘Seven Promotions’ that is at the center of the prosecution’s case.

According to the famous news agency of United States Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Donald Graham is hoping to be a part of jury comprising of twelve members including alternatives, by the end of day on Monday.