Castroneves: I’m innocent

Castroneves: "I am innocent"

Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion and “Dancing With The Stars" winner Helio Castroneves predicted today that he would be acquitted of federal tax evasion charges and suggested the case against him should never have been brought.

“They are trying to show something that doesn’t exist," Castroneves said after a hearing on pretrial motions.

Trial is set to begin March 2 for Castroneves, his sister Katiucia “Kati" Castroneves and Michigan attorney Alan Miller on charges they schemed to hide about $5.5 million in income from the Internal Revenue Service. Each of the seven counts in the indictment carries a potential 5-year prison sentence.

“Kati and I are innocent," said Castroneves, whose main defense is that he relied on the advice of lawyers and experts to handle his finances.

One of those lawyers was Miller, a former professional football player who is represented by high-profile Washington attorney Robert Bennett. Miller, who has pleaded innocent, did not attend Thursday’s hearing. But Bennett also questioned the government’s case, saying it should have been handled as a civil dispute rather than a criminal indictment.

“There is no way that Alan Miller, or Mr. Castroneves, could have felt they were violating the law," Bennett said.

Prosecutors said they have ample evidence showing the opposite.

“This is something Mr. Miller and Mr. Castroneves were aware of," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Dwyer. Indy Star