Oct 02 2008

Helio Castroneves indicted for tax evasion

Photo Credit: ABC

Hélio Castroneves, the former Indy 500 racing champ who won the fifth season of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, is a lot of trouble today after the feds obtained an indictment against him for failing to pay millions in taxes from 1999 to 2004.

Castroneves, 33, along with his sister, Katiucia, 35, and his Ohio-based lawyer, Alan Miller, 71, face conspiracy and tax-evasion charges for hatching a tax-dodging scheme using an offshore shell corporation based in Panama to hide upwards of $5.5 million from the Internal Revenue Service.

According to the indictment, the threesome knowingly tried “to conceal and disguise the true and correct amount” of his income. In one instance Hélio claimed he only earned $200,000, despite the fact he made $2 million for work done for a Brazilian trading company.

Reps for Hélio Castroneves and his alleged partners in crime could not be reached for comment. But the trio are expected to turn themselves in to authorities and be arraigned in federal court Friday morning, according to the The Miami Herald.

Each could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

What is up with celebrities not paying their taxes?

Greedy much?

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Oct 02 2008

Kim’s Ass Gets The Boot

We’re definitely shocked, as you probably are as well! But Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas got the boot last night on “Dancing With The Stars” in what can only be called a surprising twist, given that all signs were pointing toward the dismissal of Cloris—who received last night’s lowest score of 15/30. Kim and Mark received a score of 17/30

The stakes were definitely high tonight, since Kim and Mark were up against Cloris and her partner, Corky, who is Mark Ballas’ father. After they were told the pair was told they were leaving, Kim took the news alright, and mentioned it was the fifth anniversary of her own father’s death, and she was sure he’d be proud of her. Kim talked to E! News about being eliminated:

“This was a huge challenge for me,” Kim tells us tonight. “Every dance was a huge accomplishment for me, and I did the best I could. And this was the best experience of my life.”

Kim also tells us that saying goodbye is “very emotional” but is “totally fine” and wants to take dancing lessons with Karina in the future so she can learn more. As for her partner and new friend Mark, “He just signed a record deal, so I’m going to become a groupie for him!”

Kim also had some things to say about the experience on her blog:

“To be honest last week, I cried so hard when I got home, just knowing this is SO hard for me and I really am trying—but my inner shyness is making it look like I am just not trying. I think I took it way too seriously and I was a nervous wreck on Wednesday.”

Her family also had some kind words to say about Kim’s dancing and how they supported her:

Meanwhile, the support from Kim’s family (and Keeping Up costars) is pouring in. “I am so proud of how hard Kim has worked!” sister Khloe Kardashian tells us exclusively. “She has completely gone out of her comfort zone by doing DWTS, and I am so happy she did. She made the show, in my opinion!”

Stepfather Bruce Jenner also is sending the love: “I am very proud of her. She had a lot of guts to say yes to do this show with no dance background at all. Success is not measured by heights attained, but by obstacles overcome.”

And Kim’s mother, Kris, has this to say: “I am sad Kim was voted off tonight but so thrilled she was able to experience another fantastic and amazing journey that took her way outside her comfort zone. I am very, very proud!”

Echoes sister Kourtney: “I admire Kim’s strength and the hard work that she put into DWTS. It takes a lot of courage…especially with no experience.”

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