MIAMI — Helio Castroneves has kept his cool at speeds of more than 200 mph. Once, he collided with another race car and a wall — and walked away. He barely broke a sweat when he won the “Dancing with the Stars” TV contest in 2007.
But during his federal tax-evasion trial, Castroneves, 33, was often emotional, openly sobbing in the courtroom and in front of the TV cameras outside.
On Friday, a federal jury acquitted Castroneves on six counts of tax evasion but hung on one count of conspiracy, and Castroneves again dissolved into tears — of relief.
The jury also acquitted his sister, Katiucia Castroneves, 35, who is his business manager, on the tax-evasion counts but also was unable to reach a verdict on the conspiracy charge.
Michigan motorsports attorney Alan Miller, 71, was acquitted on all three counts of tax evasion and one count of conspiracy. The jury deliberated six days after a six-week trial.
While the prosecution said it would review its options on the conspiracy charge, Castroneves’ lawyers said it would be “illogical to proceed” with refiling.
Castroneves, meanwhile, talked only about racing. “Instead of going to Disneyland, I want to go to Long Beach to race,” he said, saying he was headed to California to race in this weekend’s event for Team Penske.
He was charged with working with his sister and lawyer to evade more than $2.3 million in U.S. income taxes.
