Helio Castroneves is a Brazilian race car driver for the Indy Racing League and the winner of the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars. On May 24, 2009, Castroneves won the 2009 Indianapolis 500 after qualifying for the pole position in the race.

On April 17, 2009, Castroneves was acquitted on six counts of tax evasion by a federal jury, though the jury remained hung on one count of conspiracy.Freep: Helio Castroneves Acquitted of Tax Evasion (April 17, 2009) Castroneves, along with his sister and his lawyer, was charged with "conspiring to evade more than $2.3 million in U.S. income taxes."Boston Globe: Partial Verdict Reached in Castroneves Tax Trial (April 16, 2009)

Castroneves was accused of conspiring to hide money from the IRS by maintaining approximately $5.5 million in offshore accounts. In October 2008, Castroneves was indicted and charged with six counts of tax evasion and he entered a not guilty on all counts.MSNBC: Dancing winner Castroneves faces tax charges (October 2, 2008)ChicagoTribune.com: Jury Selection Starts in Castroneves Tax Trial (March 2, 2009)Castroneves' sister and manager, Katiucia Castroneves, as well as Michigan lawyer Alan R. Miller were also charged in the case.ChicagoTribune.com: Jury Selection Starts in Castroneves Tax Trial (March 2, 2009) The alleged tax evasion occurred between 1999 and 2004.

• Jury selection began on March 2, 2009 and the trial was expected to last approximately four weeks.ESPN.com: IRS: Castroneves Owes Millions in Taxes During the trial, IRS agent Joann Levitt testified that Castroneves owed more than $2.3 million in taxes. Jury deliberations began on April 10, 2009.CBSSports.com: Jury Deliberations Begin in Castroneves Tax Case

Castroneves and his sister, Katiucia Castroneves, were acquitted on six counts of tax evasion by a federal jury on April 17, 2009 but the jury remained hung on one count of conspiracy for both of them. Alan Miller was acquitted "on all three counts of tax evasion and one count of conspiracy."Freep: Helio Castroneves Acquitted of Tax Evasion (April 17, 2009)

The trial lasted for six weeks and the jury deliberated for six days. All three were facing up to 6 years in prison if they had been convicted.Freep: Helio Castroneves Acquitted of Tax Evasion (April 17, 2009)

• Mahalo's Guide to the Indy Racing League
• Indycar.com: Career Stats
  • Height: 5'8
  • Weight: 147
  • Rookie Year: 2001