Example 3,428,947 of when Pro “Athletes” Get Special Treatment - April 27th, 2009

By Josie Jay Caroll

helio.jpg

IRL Driver Helio Castroneves was acquitted on SIX counts of federal tax evasion.

“The pressure of Dancing With the Stars and performing live definitely played a huge part in preparing me to deal with facing down years of jail time,” he said, fanning himself with money he kept from the U.S. government.

Okay, I may have fabricated that last quote, but how is this possible. What are the chances a normal, middle income, 9 to 5’er who was facing not one, not two, but SIX counts of federal tax evasion would be acquitted, scott free? I think it’s about as likely as Wesley Snipes actually forgetting to pay taxes for ten years. After spending just three hours with my 2009 version of TurboTax, I had successfully filed my federal and state taxes. Granted, my W-2 is probably less complicated than someone who is a professional athlete, competitive dancer, and whose pants are sponsored.

Nonetheless, he could have taken some of his DWTS winnings and paid someone to stop in at H&R Block. For a country that has supported his talent, and democratically voted him to stardom, you would think he would repay us slightly with some of his earnings. Lord knows, we could use it. Do you think Helio received special treatment? Do you think he was unfairly persecuted because of his overwhelming fame? Do you even know who Helio Castroneves is? More on this

Views held by author do not represent the views of Fresh Alloy.
Got any Fresh ideas? Submit your ideas and stories to stories@freshalloy.com



SURE

Submitted by BobbyR on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 12:53pm.

yes, he received special treatment. here's the thing, though. People with middle class income don't know how to cheat on taxes. Usually, all of their taxes are collected by their HR department. Then they get a refund in April. People who make millions and millions, they need to cheat on their taxes, because taxes are too high. If you were making a few mil, and the government is trying to take more than 1/2 of it, you'd try to cheat, too!

Wesley Snipes - well, that's just a stupid way to cheat. At least make an effort. Pay a little bit. Write off some personal stuff as biz expense, etc. Don't just not pay. That's retarded. He's retarded.

he absolutely received

Submitted by Themla42 on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 10:20am.

he absolutely received special treatment! maybe his case was made more public because of his career choices, but everyone has to pay taxes. the case was thrown out on a hung jury... not even a REAL acquittal