She repeatedly protests her innocence – and rails sharply against the Spanish tax authorities. Now Shakira admits tax fraud – and reaches an out-of-court settlement. But that could also be expensive.
An out-of-court settlement was reached in the criminal tax case against pop singer Shakira shortly before the trial began in Spain. The Colombian (“Waka Waka”, “Hips Don’t Lie”) admitted on Monday before the regional court in Barcelona, contrary to her previous stance, that she had evaded a total of 14.5 million euros in taxes between 2012 and 2014. In doing so, she escaped the prison sentence of eight years and two months demanded by the public prosecutor.
In addition to the back taxes that have already been paid, the 46-year-old will have to pay a fine of several million euros, which will still be officially announced in detail.
Shakira appeared in person in court on Monday wearing a pink pants suit. “Let’s go,” she said simply to the numerous journalists who had turned up before she went into the courthouse. The agreement was then announced.
So far, Shakira has repeatedly protested her innocence and even accused the tax authorities of “blackmail”. She had always maintained that she was resident in the Bahamas during the years in question. And she only repeatedly visited her then partner and soccer star Gerard Piqué, with whom she has two children and from whom she is now separated, in Spain.
It wasn’t until 2015 that she lived permanently in Barcelona. In addition, she has now paid all taxes plus interest totaling 17.2 million euros.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
