Two time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves is in some seriously deep poop after allegedly failing to pay Uncle Sam from 1999-2004 through a well planned scheme that diverted $5 million of his estimated $6 million in earnings to a Panamanian company named Seven Promotions. Under this alleged plot to avoid paying the government, a "deferred royalty plan" was set up which "required Penske to send the payment to a company in the Netherlands.” Because that’s not shady at all.Castoneves, along with his sister Katiucia and business manager Andy Miller are looking at charges ranging from conspiracy to tax evasion, which carry up to a 35 year prison sentence for the Castoneves siblings and 20 years for Miller.
A lesson to be learned from all of this was eloquently stated by U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta:
"Whether you make a living parking cars or racing them, paying taxes is a responsibility that everyone shares."
Apparently, this was not a view shared by the “Dancing with the Stars” champion and his crew.
Watch out Helio, Katiucia and Andy, because the popo are on your tail!
(Photo: The Hollywood Gossip; source)
UPDATE: TMZ.com is reporting that Castroneves pleaded not guilty to tax evasion charges. The driver apparently cried throughout the hearing, where he was shackled and was forced to surrender his passport.
No comments:
Post a Comment