And There Goes Castroneves
Into the Wall!

MIAMI (AP) - Indy race car driver Helio Castroneves, his sister and his lawyer engaged in an intricate "pattern of deception" to avoid paying U.S. income taxes on millions of dollars over a five-year period, a prosecutor said Thursday in closing arguments at the trio's tax evasion trial.

"These defendants attempted to skip out on taxes that all must pay, regardless of how rich, regardless of how famous, " said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Dwyer as the six-week trial drew to a close. "We have proved that beyond a reasonable doubt."

Castroneves, a Brazilian who twice won the Indianapolis 500,...

Each of the three could face more than six years in prison if convicted of conspiracy and tax evasion charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Danica, "He's guilty and deserves to go to prison."


Judge Dan FitzPatrick, "Castroneves will be stuck in the pits for a long while."

The jury is expected to come back with a verdict quickly.

"Next case! U.S. v. Andretti, Foyt, Franchitti, Herta, Kanaan, Rahal, Scheckter, Unser, Wheldon, et al."