“Helio Castroneves acquitted in tax fraud case”
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20273324,00.html
“Helio will pay taxes when his retirement fund comes due like everyone else,” his lawyer David M. Garvin tells PEOPLE. “I am elated that justice was served here. Now it is up to the government to decide whether it is in the best interest of justice to hassle with another case on the deadlocked count.”
“Prosecution drops remaining tax charges against Helio Castroneves”
http://dailyme.com/story/2009052200010586/prosecution-drops-remaining-tax-charges-helio.html
“Castroneves’ whirlwind weekend ends in style at Long Beach”
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bruce_martin/04/20/Martin/index.html
“Though, mentally and emotionally exhausted from his six-month legal ordeal, Castroneves couldn’t stop smiling. As he spoke to a group of reporters after the race, David Garvin, the Miami attorney who was instrumental in Castroneves’ acquittal, stood a few feet away, sporting a proud smile of his own.”It has been a blur for me, too,” Garvin said of the last three days. “From start to finish. But it was completely worth it. The last seven weeks were the most stressful. But in the end, the right things fell into place and justice was served. Helio never lost his faith in the system, and came out on top where he belongs.”
Garvin was stunned to see his client make such a rapid return to the race car after a six-month layoff.
“It’s shocking,” Garvin said. “During the year, we got permission to let him go to Australia and [race last] October. We had faith putting him on the track today was not a dangerous situation — that he would be up to the task. But what he’s gone through the last seven weeks, no human should have to go through. When he got into first place today, it was like a dream come true.”
Castroneves did not realize Garvin was standing behind him when he finished a television interview. When he turned around, the Brazilian’s smile grew even bigger. “I didn’t even know you were here,” he said.
Garvin replied, “Where else would I be?”
“Thank you so much,” Castroneves said.”
“Helio’s financial life under scrutiny”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3997367&type=story
This report on the tax evasion trial of Helio Castroneves contained the following:”As the case wrapped up its abbreviated third week to begin the long weekend, the two sides of the U.S. Federal courtroom in downtown Miami fired shots across each other’s bow, each using the day’s featured witness, New York tax attorney Fred Feingold, as the cannon.”
* * *“Would you say that there was a hole in this agreement?” defense attorney David M. Garvin asked, referring to the racer’s 1999 contract with Seven Promotions, when he was a driver with now-defunct Hogan Racing and managed by Fittipaldi.”
“Yes,” Feingold replied, “a big one.”
The report noted the following testimony from the New York tax attorney:
“He made it clear to us that he did not own the company or shares of the company in any sense,” Feingold stated to the court, adding that he shared Miller’s concerns over the stability of Seven Promotions and before the meeting had already started researching the possible benefits of a new partnership with Netherlands-based Fintage Licensing, with whom Feingold had a prior relationship while representing “another driver.”
* * *Helio made it very clear that he wanted this done correctly,” Feingold said when asked about his one and only face-to-face meeting with the racer.
* * * “None of this was explained to Helio?” Garvin asked Feingold during cross-examination. “Is that correct?”
That is correct.” Feingold replied.
“Accountant: Castroneves not involved”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3971536&type=story
Associate Press report on the testimony of witness Kevin Savoree, CPA who handled Castroneves tax work for 1999 and 2000 and was instrumental in tax planning decisions.”Helio Castroneves never suggested that you do something improper, right?” asked Castroneves attorney David Garvin.
“Absolutely not,” Savoree replied.
“Patrick’s maturity, Kanaan’s adversity on display at Indy”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2009-05-25-danica-kanaan-indy_N.htm?csp=34
“guy [Castroneves] beats a federal tax rap and wins the race nearly six weeks later. Somewhere Perry Mason must be smiling.”
“Helio Castroneves case to the jury”
http://sdfla.blogspot.com/2009/04/helio-castroneves-case-to-jury.html
In closing arguments, defense lawyers for Castroneves insisted he did not cheat on his taxes and had followed the advice of his attorneys and accountants. They reminded jurors Castroneves has not collected most of the money at issue and would only owe taxes when he is paid.”There are mistakes and ignorance at times, but at the end of the day there is no crime,” said attorney David Garvin.
“Prosecutors: Guilt clear in Castroneves case”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/irl/2009-04-09-castroneves-trial_N.htm
But Castroneves’ attorney David Garvin said there was a legal explanation for the financial activities and insisted there was no intent to hide money from the U.S. government. Garvin also said Castroneves relied on experts to handle the complexities of U.S. tax law.”He signed anything in front of him, including documents he shouldn’t be signing,” Garvin said. “There is ignorance and mistakes at times. But there is no crime.”
“Castroneves’ father testifies he established Panama company”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/irl/2009-04-03-castroneves-trial_N.htm
It’s a mistake,” said the father, testifying in Portuguese. “No, he’s not the owner.”"Did Helio have any authority to do anything for Seven?” asked defense attorney David Garvin.
“No,” the elder Castroneves replied.”
“One turbulent ride for Castroneves”
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/indycar/columns/story?columnist=mcgee_ryan&id=4008335
“Helio Castroneves, right, arrives at federal court in Miami with his sister, Katiucia Castroneves, and attorney David M. Garvin.”
“Castroneves’ fate may very well lie in the hands of, believe it or not, late boxing great Sugar Ray Robinson. While negotiating a fight at Madison Square Garden in 1957, Robinson asked to have his payment broken up into halves and delivered over the following two years. The IRS balked, but the six-time world champion claimed that the U.S. tax code actually allowed the practice as long as the payment schedule was spelled out before the services were rendered. Soon thereafter, his claims were upheld in U.S. tax court.”
“Helio Castroneves pleads innocent in tax case”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,313705,00.html
Another Castroneves attorney, David Garvin, said he was disappointed that the tax dispute could not be resolved without criminal charges.”Helio has always done the appropriate thing and hired accountants and attorneys he relied upon,” Garvin said. “We are of the strong belief that he did not do anything wrong. We’re looking forward to going to court.”
