A Miami jury still has not reached a verdict in the federal tax evasion trial of two-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves and will resume deliberations on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Donald Graham has rejected the defense team's call for a mistrial. Castroneves' defense attorneys filed papers for a mistrial on Tuesday, questioning Graham's additional instructions to the jury.
Castroneves, 33, is accused of failing to pay approximately $2.3 million in taxes on income from endorsement and licensing deals with a Brazilian sponsor and with Team Penske, whom he's driven for since 2000.
The trial is in its sixth week now; the case went to the jury last Friday afternoon. The jury has asked to see transcripts from testimony and submitted questions about the complicated tax law to Judge Graham each day this week.
According to The Miami Herald, which has covered the trial extensively, the jurors' questions have centered on the definition of a "binding agreement" and laws concerning "deferral of income.''
Castroneves, a Brazilian native who is now a U.S. resident, is accused of avoiding U.S. taxes on more than $5 million in income between 1999-2004 by allegedly deferring payments from a licensing contract with Penske and then diverting money to a Panamanian company account.
According to The Miami Herald, Castroneves' defense attorneys maintain the Penske income, "went to the Dutch annuity account - income that Castroneves will start receiving next month, when he intends to pay his taxes."
The IndyCar Series is holding its second race of the season this weekend in Long Beach, Calif.
Penske, the winningest team owner in Indy car history, has said he remains fully committed to Castroneves and that the popular driver's race car is ready to go if he is cleared of wrongdoing.
"We've never backed off that a minute,'' Penske said. "It's a tough situation. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body.
"We certainly understand the concerns everybody has for him. ... and we're hoping the jury sees he's not the culprit in this situation.''
Castroneves' sister, who also serves as his business manager, and his attorney also face charges. A conviction could mean as much as six years in prison.
Athletes With Money Woes
Castroneves, the racing star and 'Dancing With The Stars' winner isn't the only athlete with money problems. Click through the gallery to see more sports stars who have dealt with money trouble.
Ben Margot, AP
Michael Vick, once the NFL's highest-paid player, is in the final months of a nearly two-year sentence for dogfighting charges. Now he has agreed to pay the Atlanta Falcons $6.5 million as part of his bankruptcy case, clearing the way for the team to release him.
Haraz N. Ghanbari, AP
Tennis legend John McEnroe was one of the many victims duped in a sophisticated $88 million art investment scam. McEnroe reportedly lost $2 million after investing a half share in two paintings, Arshile Gorky's "Pirate I and II."
Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE / Getty Images
NFL running back Deuce McAllister allegedly owes Nissan more than $6.6 million in a dispute over his car dealership. In March, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation filed suit against McAllister's dealership, and federal marshals reportedly targeted its inventory.
Bill Haber, AP
New York Yankees stars Johnny Damon, left, and Xavier Nady are among the investors whose finances were frozen because of money they have with a company affiliated with Robert Allen Stanford.
Jim Rogash, Getty Images
In January, ex-slugger Jose Canseco battled against Danny Bonaduce in a boxing match because he's strapped for cash and claims to have squandered nearly $45 million.
Louis Lanzano, AP
According to a Chicago Sun-Times report, Knicks center Eddy Curry was sued by Casual Male Retail Group for $41,000 in unpaid clothing bills.
Rocky Widner, NBA
Former Oakland Athletics first baseman Troy Neel faced charges that he fled to a tiny South Pacific island to avoid paying about $725,000 in child support for his kids in Texas.
Texas Attorney General / AP
Evander "Real Deal" Holyfield, shown here in 2002, is reportedly in financial trouble with multiple sources. In October 2008, Holyfield was back in court, again facing the possibility of jail time in a child-support case before a settlement was reached.
W. A. Harewood, Getty Images
In June 2008, former boxing champ Thomas Hearns reportedly owed the federal government thousands in unpaid income taxes. Hearns' attorney stated that the 49-year-old disputed the debt and was working to resolve it.
Bill Pugliano, Getty Images
