Castroneves ready for tax evasion trial

Documents filed this week on behalf of Helio Castroneves indicate his defense in the tax evasion case that begins Monday will center on him not controlling the Panamanian company at the heart of the alleged scheme.

Castroneves, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, is accused of diverting $5.5 million to avoid U.S. income taxes. He and his sister, Kati, who served as his business manager, were indicted in November on six counts of tax evasion and one count of fraud. The case will be heard in U.S. District Court in Miami.

The defense will try to show that the company, Seven Promotions, was owned and operated by their father.

Involved in racing since 1982, Castroneves' father owned a stock car team in Brazil and created Seven in 1999 as a way to promote and sponsor his son's racing career. In earlier years, his company, Corpal Tubas, annually covered the six-figure expenses to develop the young driver.

Alan Miller, Castroneves' attorney, will also stand trial next week. Miller's witness list includes former CART and Indy Racing League driver Adrian Fernandez, NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, former U.S. congressman Jack Kemp, Kevin Savoree, a co-owner of Andretti Green Racing; and Roger Penske. The father of the late driver Greg Moore also is on the list. Indy Star