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‘Dancing’ winner Castroneves faces tax charges

Authorities say driver failed to pay $5 million over four years

IMAGE: JULIANNE HOUGH, HELIO CASTRONEVES
Carol Kaelson / ABC
Helio Castroneves, the race car driver who charmed "Dancing With the Stars" audiences in 2007, is facing one charge of conspiracy and seven charges of tax evasion in Miami.
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Access Hollywood
updated 4:36 p.m. ET Oct. 2, 2008

Season five “Dancing With the Stars” winner Helio Castroneves is facing federal indictment charges in Miami.

Castroneves, a professional race car driver, is being indicted tomorrow by a federal grand jury, Access Hollywood has learned.

Castroneves, who danced to victory in 2007 in the “DWTS” ballroom with professional partner Julianne Hough, will face one count of conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion, according to the Associated Press.

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The Brazilian driver’s sister, Kati Castroneves, is also facing indictment charges, as are his attorney, Alan Miller, and an unidentified business manager.

The charges stem from what authorities told the Miami Herald is failure to pay over $5 million in taxes over the course of four years.

He is expected to be arraigned tomorrow morning in Miami, however, a man who answered Castroneves’ cell phone told Access that the star is currently in Le Mans, which is believed to be a reference to a race of the same name held in Atlanta.

Castroneves was scheduled to begin racing the Petite Le Mans race today. It is unclear whether he will be present for the indictment.

Castroneves, who is known by racing fans as “Spider Man” due to his penchant for climbing fences post-race to reach fans, previously won the Indy 500 in 2001 and 2002.

He currently drives for Roger Penske’s IndyCar team.

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