DANCING WITH THE STARS - CASTRONEVES PLEADS FOR LATER COURT DATE

CASTRONEVES PLEADS FOR LATER COURT DATE

Race car driver and DANCING WITH THE STARS winner HELIO CASTRONEVES is bidding to postpone his tax evasion trial so he can continue racing early next year (09).
The IndyCar driver is scheduled to stand trial on tax evasion charges at Miami, Florida's federal court in March (09).
Castroneves pleaded not guilty last month (02Oct08) to charges he failed to pay tax on his $5 million (GBP3.4million) income.
In court documents filed on Thursday (13Nov08), his attorneys and employer asked a judge to delay the trial until next November (09) - since the new date conflicts with the racing season, which runs from April to October.
Castroneves must be available for all races in 2009 under his contract with Penske Racing, Inc.
Court documents add it would be "catastrophic" for him to lose his job insisting, "A presumed innocent defendant should not face the prospect of losing his career based solely on the return of an indictment."
Castroneves' sister/business manager and attorney, Alan R. Miller, were also indicted in the case. Both have pleaded not guilty.
The U.S. Attorney's office will reportedly respond to the motion in court.