Fri Oct 3 17:03:49 2008

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Castroneves pleads in tax evasion charges

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Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion and "Dancing With the Stars" winner Helio Castroneves pleaded not guilty Friday to tax evasion and conspiracy charges.

The 33-year-old Brazilian race car driver appeared in a Miami federal court one day after he was charged with one count of conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion from 1999 to 2004. He is accused of failing to report over $5 million dollars in income to the Internal Revenue Service.

Castroneves' bail was set at $10 million. He turned himself into authorities on Friday morning, but was released from custody later in the afternoon to head to Atlanta for a weekend race there.

His lawyer, Mark Seiden, said the terms of Castroneves' release allow him to travel for work in the U.S., but not abroad. He will likely miss the IndyCar Series exhibition race in Australia later this month.

If convicted, Castroneves could face a maximum of 35 years in prison for all charges.

His sister Katiucia, who served as his business manager, and attorney Alan R. Miller are also facing charges. They did not enter pleas, but were ordered released on bail of $2 million and $250,000, respectively.

Castroneves won the Indianapolis 500 in 2001 and '02, and finished second to Scott Dixon in this year's IndyCar Series points championship. Castroneves elevated his celebrity status in 2007 when he and partner Julianne Hough won "Dancing With the Stars," the hit reality competition show on ABC.