Celebrity Justice
Crying Helio Pleads Not Guilty

Helio Castroneves just tearfully pleaded to tax fraud -- and, for a guy who's known for driving at high speeds, he's not goin' anywhere fast.
Helio Castroneves: Click to watch
He was brought into court in cuffs and shackles, and cried throughout the hearing. He had to give up his passport, and won't be allowed anywhere outside the US, though interestingly he can race this weekend in Atlanta.

Bond was set at $10 million -- $8 mil of which is security, from one of Helio's accounts in the Netherlands.

His lawyer was also arraigned along with Helio's sister, both of whom were allegedly in on the tax scheme.



Tags: Helio Castroneves, HelioCastroneves

Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 4) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

31. Tax evading or not I really thought he had lost his mind and grew a mullet. It is now obvious to me that there is a woman staning behind him... Now that would have been bad!

Posted at 6:30PM on Oct 3rd 2008 by Charlotte

32. #30- Me too! I thought 'what the hell is he thinking with that mullet?".

Posted at 6:37PM on Oct 3rd 2008 by Robin

33. Remember, the case hasn't had a verdict issued yet. Let the jury rule before all the facts have been heard.

Accusation does not mean automatically guilty.

Posted at 2:08PM on Oct 4th 2008 by AutoRacer5

34. SORRY '' MEU CARO AMIGO '' AS THE SAYING GOES IN BRAZIL '' JA TE ACABOU O DOCE NA AMERICA ''

Posted at 9:22PM on Oct 3rd 2008 by Wild-Biker

35. Tax evaders are thieves, they steal from all of us. Most of the time they are filthy rich and just trying to get away with something. Yes they belong in cuffs and shakles, and yes they belong in jail for a long time when found guilty.

I can have little or no sympathy for a thief who got caught and think they should have a real bad time of it once aprehended. This crime does not warrant country club prison or any other breaks.

Posted at 9:24PM on Oct 3rd 2008 by Frank

36. A mullet - worse than being arrested for tax evasion ....... Now THAT is funny!! LMAO!!!!!

Posted at 9:46PM on Oct 3rd 2008 by gottalaugh

37. "cried throughout the hearing...." Are you kidding me? If he's innocent - what the heck is that all about? Seems like the peppy - poppy "Happiest Guy in the World" routine just slid off a cliff!!

Posted at 10:17PM on Oct 3rd 2008 by YeahRight

38. Helio:you said you don't know about Income Tax?you are lying you should know how to PAY TAXES ,making milions and not paying taxes you belong in jail just because you are a car racer t and rich that not means you are not guilty ,we are not stupid you make money ?pay your taxes I don't feel sorry for you at all PAY YOUR TAXES.....I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and I am not rich and famous ,I hope you spend time in jail ,you came to this beautiful country became rich just because you drive a car and skip the Taxes??????NOT WAY!!!!!!!!

Posted at 11:43AM on Oct 4th 2008 by maria mercer

39. Hello #2 special prayers? are you kidding who needs a preayer when you are sooo rich?he has a mansion in Coral Gables one of the riches towns in Florida ,he is rich and he doesn't pay taxes he belongs in jail he was crying because he got cut he said I don't know about taxes?does he has a account ,baloney he deserves be in jail not pryaers ,what makes he soo special> because he has money give me a BREAK!!!!! he should pay in JAIL

Posted at 11:42AM on Oct 4th 2008 by maria mercer

40. He is so guilty-I hope he has to pay lots of fines. people that don't pay taxes are slimey. No one likes it, but, we gotta do it. try living in the rest of the developed world-where you get taxed over 50%. We have it easy. I can not believe anyone thinks this guy is innocent. Wesley and Helio...Weslio may be our newest celebrity couple! Fantastic

Posted at 11:39PM on Oct 3rd 2008 by star

41. Palhaco, pensa que estah no Brasil eh? chega no Patamar e faz uma cagada dessas, daqui a alguns meses, vai ter que correr dos Bubas na cadeia Lol.

Clown. think you're in Brazil?? gets to the top and then screw up like this?? In few months you will run, but from al the Bubbas in jail Lol.

Posted at 12:42AM on Oct 4th 2008 by giancarlo forti

42. Can you say, "Hello...Bubba.."

Posted at 1:41AM on Oct 4th 2008 by watterloged

43. HELIO GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY.

HELIO THIS AIN'T A RACE.

YOU'RE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IMPOUNDED.

TAX FRAUD IS BAD HELIO.

GUILTY.

Posted at 10:56AM on Oct 4th 2008 by anonymous

44. Helio has strong family and religious beliefs. He would never do anything to shame either. He will be found innocent. Helio, your real fans will always be there to support you. We love you.

p.s. I was born and raised in America and I don't even understand the tax laws.

Posted at 10:17PM on Oct 4th 2008 by Lisa

45. Your in the US Helio, making US dollars - if your going to play in the US you pay taxes like the rest of us. I make in a year what he makes in 15 minutes iand I pay my taxes. I don't have to agree with it, but if I don't pay now I'll pay later - and pay more.

Posted at 11:59AM on Oct 5th 2008 by the tax man

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