Helio Speeds Past Tax Evasion Charges
A Federal jury has acquitted Indy race car champ Helio Castroneves on tax evasion charges.
The jury was hung on the one count of conspiracy. The judge declared a mistrial on that count, and prosecutors say they're reviewing whether to re-try Helio on that charge.
Helio was prosecuted for allegedly not paying taxes on several million dollars.
Story developing ...
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Shawn Johnson Gets Permanent Stay Away
Better safe than sorry: Shawn Johnson's alleged stalker is currently behind bars, but her family ain't takin' no chances -- they just got a permanent restraining order against the scary dude.
Shawn's parents appeared in court today at the L.A. County Superior Court, where a judge ordered Robert O'Ryan to stay at least 100 yards away from the Olympic gymnast and her parents for the next 3 years.
O'Ryan is being held on $220,000 bail after pleading not guilty last month to one count of felony stalking and two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
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The Woz Won't Go Too Hard on Himself
He probably thought we were actually talking about camping in the woods -- 'cuz when our photog brought up a euphemism for gettin' excited like Mark Ballas, "Dancing" reject Steve Wozniak had no idea what the hell he meant.
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"Dancing" Star -- Giraffes Kill the Mood
Mark Ballas, take note -- "Dancing with the Stars" hottie Gilles Marini has a surefire way to keep the inappropriately timed tent pitching to a minimum: Think about Geoffrey the Giraffe!
According to Gilles, it's one way to guarantee a certain someone "doesn't wanna grow up!"
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Ballas I'm So Excited, I Just Can't Hide It
Mark Ballas says "Of course" he gets excited working with 17-year-old Shawn Johnson on "Dancing with the Stars" ... though we already knew that, he just didn't quite catch our drift.
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Pole Dancing with the Stars
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Shawn Johnson's Biggest Cross-Dressing Fan
Looking like an overweight version of Nick Nolte trying out for a "Flashdance" remake -- this completely normal guy was hanging out (all over the place) at the dance studio where Shawn Johnson practices for "Dancing with the Stars."
This isn't the first time we've seen this guy... check out
we did about him on TMZ-TV.
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Karina: Shawn Johnson Makes How Much?
Karina Smirnoff from "Dancing With The Stars" was headed to practice when we asked her if she knew how much bank Shawn Johnson was getting paid for doing the show.
Unfortunately for Karina, we had to be the ones to inform her that she makes chump change compared to her 17-year-old competitor.
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Stars "Dancing" In the Dark in Alleged Stalker Case
So the plot thickens at "Dancing With The Stars."
"Bachelor" reject Melissa Rycroft told us the show never notified the other contestants that an alleged stalker had gotten on the lot and near the building where they were all rehearsing. Members of the crew told us they didn't know about Robert O'Ryan either.
True enough, O'Ryan allegedly had his sights set on Shawn Johnson, but an alleged stalker with two loaded guns in his car -- would have been nice to share with the others, don't you think?
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Shawn Johnson -- You Can Bank on It
As we first reported, Shawn Johnson could score up to $365,000 for appearing on "DWTS" -- so of course we asked her how she's gonna spend all that money.
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Julianne Hough Is Chuck-ing Her Brother
"Dancing with the Stars" chick Julianne Hough said boyfriend Chuck Wicks is "the same person" as her brother Derek ... with darker hair.
Well, she is into country music ...
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Shawn Johnson $cores Big with 'DWTS' Contract
Shawn Johnson is raking in the cash on "Dancing with the Stars" -- although she may not think it's worth the hassle of dealing with alleged stalker Robert O'Ryan ... and we have her contract to prove it.
We've obtained a copy of Shawn's "Dancing" contract -- a public document filed with the L.A. County Superior Court. A judge had to approve the deal because she's a minor. Under the contract, Shawn gets a guarantee of $125,000 for appearing on the show. By surviving the first elimination, she gets an additional $10,000 a week for weeks 3 and 4.
If Shawn survives the next eliminations, the rate doubles to $20,000 a week for weeks 5, 6 and 7. For weeks 8 and 9 she scores $30,000 a week.
And here's where it really gets sweet. In weeks 10 and 11, if Shawn makes it through, she gets $50,000 a week.
Total take if Shawn makes it to the final 2 -- $365,000.
Under the contract, Shawn must train approximately 20 hours a week. As for the all important issue of injuries ... the contract makes it clear that "Dancing" has no liability. It reads, "Artist releases Producer, Network ... from any and all claims ... arising from physical or other injury resulting from Artist's appearance in the Series..."
Nice work if you can get it.
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Shawn Johnson Doesn't Miss a Step
Hours after her alleged stalker pled not guilty, Shawn Johnson was in the studio rehearsing for "Dancing with the Stars."
Shawn was all smiles -- maybe because her new bodyguard, the big bald bluetooth-wearing dude, is watching her every move.
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'Dancing' Star: Alleged Stalker's a 'Kook!'
"DWTS" contestant Ty Murray is speaking out about Shawn Johnson's alleged stalker, by saying it's "unfortunate there are kooks in the world."
Wonder what he thinks about Shawn's massive "Dancing" paycheck...
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Shawn Johnson's Alleged Stalker
TMZ has obtained photos of Robert O'Ryan -- the man accused of stalking Shawn Johnson. You will see him in court shortly, and he now looks more like Charles Manson than the clean cut dude you're looking at.
O'Ryan, 34, was arrested Tuesday morning after trying to sneak on to the set of "Dancing With the Stars," allegedly with two loaded guns and duct tape in his car.
He has been charged with one felony count of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
As for who O'Ryan is....he lived in a trailer park in Yulee, Florida. He got an mechanical engineering degree from the University of Florida. But things didn't go well. He was reclusive and walked with a cane after a bad car accident. He wouldn't even go to the pot luck dinners. He ended up abandoning the trailer and moving in with his mom. Neighbors there say the last time they saw him -- 3 weeks ago -- he was talking to a tree.
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Shawn Johnson's Alleged Stalker Charged
Shawn Johnson's alleged stalker, Robert O'Ryan, has just been charged with one felony count of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
TMZ broke the story that O'Ryan was arrested early Tuesday morning on the CBS lot -- during a "Dancing with the Stars" rehearsal -- after security confronted him and found out he had two loaded firearms in his car, along with duct tape and love letters to Shawn.
He is currently being held on $35,000 bail. With the charges just filed by the L.A. County District Attorney, prosecutors will ask that bail be upped to $220,000.
In the charges, the D.A. claims O'Ryan "willfully and maliciously" harassed Shawn Johnson and made "a credible threat with the intent that SHE be placed in reasonable fear for HER safety..."
O'Ryan allegedly drove from his home in Florida to meet Johnson, with whom he felt a psychic connection.