Race car driver and reality tv star Helio Castroneves is in some deep trouble with the law, and a judge isn’t cutting him any breaks.

A federal judge has refused to dismiss the U.S. government’s tax-evasion case against two-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, the Miami Herald reported. Castroneves is charged with failing to pay taxes on more than $5 million in income.

The Herald said that his sister, Katiucia Castroneves, and his Michigan lawyer, Alan R. Miller, are accused of assisting the Coral Gables, Fla. resident in the alleged tax-evasion scheme from 1999-2004.

But the Dancing with the Stars champion isn’t giving in and still proclaims his innocence.

“‘They’re trying to show something that doesn’t exist,” Castroneves, 33, told reporters. “We’re ready. Kati and I are innocent.”

If he did this, I hope he goes to jail for a long time. But if he didn’t, I hope he isn’t punished for being a celeb and the screwed up legal system trying to “make an example” of him.

[images: WENN]

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