Castroneves has his day in court

MIAMI (AP) — Race car driver and “Dancing With The Stars” winner Helio Castroneves pleaded not guilty Friday to federal tax evasion charges and declared outside the courtroom that he would treat the case like a race against the Internal Revenue Service.

“I’m a race car driver,” the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner told reporters. “This is a very difficult situation. I’ll be strong and I’ll win this race.”

Castroneves, 33, spoke after his release on $10 million bail following a court appearance in which he was in handcuffs and leg chains and visibly weeping into a wad of tissue. Outside, he acknowledged he was overwhelmed by the weight of the moment.

“It’s been a long day. It’s been an emotional day, obviously,” he said. “I am not guilty.”

With that, Castroneves hopped into a waiting car and headed for a flight to Atlanta for this weekend’s Petit Le Mans race. Terms of his release allow him to travel for work in the United States but not abroad, meaning he will likely miss a race later this month in Australia, said his attorney, Mark Seiden.

A grand jury Thursday indicted Castroneves on charges of conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion for purportedly failing to report to the IRS about $5.5 million in income between 1999 and 2004, according to court documents. Each count carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

Also facing charges are Katiucia Castroneves, his sister and business manager, and attorney Alan R. Miller of Birmingham, Mich. They did not enter pleas Friday but were ordered released on bail of $2 million and $250,000, respectively.

Another Castroneves attorney, David Garvin, said he was disappointed the tax dispute could not be resolved without criminal charges.

“Helio has always done the appropriate thing and hired accountants and attorneys he relied upon. We are of the strong belief that he did not do anything wrong. We’re looking forward to going to court.”