By Tracy Phillips
Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:01:03 GMT
Billionaire and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Mark Cuban has been charged with insider trading.
The Securities and Exchange Commission alleges that in 2004 Cuban became aware of a private sale and sold shares of search engine company Mamma.com to avoid losses of approximately $750,000.
The Dallas Mavericks owner’s net worth is estimated to be over $2 billion.
Coincidentally, Cuban’s fellow “DWTS” Season 5 cast mate, Helio Castroneves, is also facing legal troubles.
Castroneves was indicted by a grand jury in October for tax evasion.
The 33-year-old Indy 500 race care driver allegedly failed to report income for 1999 through 2004.
Castroneves pleaded not guilty to charges that he failed to pay tax on his $5 million income.
Cuban, who was partnered with Kym Johnson and just visited the show last week, was eliminated 5th, while Helio went on to win the disco ball trophy with partner Julianne Hough.