To Avoid a €14.5m Tax Fraud Trial, Shakira Strikes a Deal With Spanish Prosecutors

(CTN News) Colombian pop star Shakira has reached an agreement with prosecutors to avoid a trial in Barcelona over charges she failed to pay €14.5m (£12.7m) in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014.

During the deal, she agreed to accept the charges and the fine of 50% of the amount owed.

Additionally, she agreed to pay a fine of €438,000 in order to avoid a three-year prison term, the judge said during the first hearing of the trial.

According to Shakira’s Spanish communication agency, “this decision is based on personal, emotional, and sentimental reasons that have nothing to do with legal factors.” It was her decision to put her career and children first, even though she would gladly defend her innocence. According to her, “I have come to the conclusion that winning is meaningless if it means giving up so much of yourself.”

After arriving at court shortly before 10am (0900 GMT), Shakira, 46, caused quite a stir in the media.

It has been requested to increase the penalties. Are you familiar with the facts and are you in agreement with them? Jose Manuel del Amo Sanchez asked the judge. “Yes,” she replied.

Her previous vow to fight false accusations, which also include a second tax fraud investigation with Spanish authorities, was made a few months ago.

A prison sentence of up to eight years was requested by the prosecutor’s office, along with a claim for back taxes.

During each of the years in question, Shakira spent more than half of her time in Spain, thus making her a resident of the country. Moreover, she purchased a Barcelona property in May 2012 for use as a family residence.

In logical terms, it is a ruling of conformity that involves a recognition of facts. Miriam Company, one of Shakira’s lawyers, told reporters outside the courthouse that the decision was motivated by personal issues. Shakira’s legal team was confident that it could prove her innocence, but circumstances had changed, she said.

The 46-year-old singer has been married to Gerard Piqué for 11 years, and the couple has two children together. Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, moved to Miami following their separation.

Other famous people have also been pursued by Spanish authorities over tax evasion, including footballers Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, Lionel Messi of Argentina, and Diego Costa of Brazil. In all cases, large fines were paid and settlements were reached.

Bayer Leverkusen’s coach, Xabi Alonso, refused to settle and won a trial against the tax agency. Last month, Spain’s supreme court upheld his acquittal.

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