Judge: Castroneves Can Race in Australia

Helio Castroneves, right, signs a replica of his helmet for a fan before the start of the Petit Le Mans auto race at Road Atlanta, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, in Braselton, Ga. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

(AP)

Helio Castroneves can leave the country for an IndyCar event this month in Australia after a federal judge agreed Friday to modify bail conditions on tax charges the driver's facing.

Prosecutors argued the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner has ample reason to run and the assets in Brazil and elsewhere to facilitate such a move. But U.S. Magistrate Judge William Turnoff said he was convinced that "the dumbest thing Mr. Castroneves could do" would be to flee to his native Brazil and not show up for court, given his lucrative racing and endorsement career based in the U.S.

"You have much to lose by not complying with conditions of release," Turnoff said at a hearing to Castroneves, who nodded vigorously in agreement.

Castroneves, who also won the 2007 TV "Dancing with the Stars" competition, is charged with conspiracy and tax evasion for allegedly dodging U.S. taxes on about $5.5 million in income using offshore accounts. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $10 million bail.

Turnoff, in a wry reference to Castroneves' dancing career, said he would have to "tango with the U.S. Marshals" if he didn't show up for court.

The judge initially prohibited Castroneves from traveling outside the continental U.S. for races or other work but agreed Friday to modify those conditions for the Oct. 26 event in Brisbane, Australia. Castroneves attorney David Garvin said there was zero chance he would flee prosecution, especially to a Brazil he left in 1996.

"Unless he's planning to go to the Amazon, there's no place to go in Brazil," Garvin said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Axelrod, however, said Castroneves has $15 million in an account in the Netherlands and access to millions more in Brazil, where he owns Burger King restaurants and a car dealership. Facing a potential prison term of up to five years, Axelrod said the 33-year-old driver had ample reason to run.

"His career's at risk either way," Axelrod said. "He has extensive ties there."