Shakira Is Facing 8 Years In Jail Over $14.5 Million Tax Fraud
Shakira has been warned she could be jailed for up to eight years if she is found guilty of an alleged 14.5 million euros ($15 million) tax fraud. Prosecutors in Spain said Friday (July 29) they would ask a court to sentence the Colombian pop star to eight years and two months in prison if she is convicted in her expected trial for alleged tax fraud, Yahoo! News reports.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, is charged with failing to pay the Spanish government taxes between 2012 and 2014. The prosecutors said they would also seek a fine of $24 million. The indictment details six charges against Shakira. This week, the singer rejected a settlement deal offered by prosecutors, opting to go to trial instead, which has yet to be set.
Her publicists in London said in a statement today that Shakira “has always cooperated and abided by the law, demonstrating impeccable conduct as an individual and a taxpayer.” The publicists accused the Spanish Tax Agency of violating her rights. Shakira’s Spanish public relations team said earlier this week that the artist has deposited the amount she is said to owe, including 3 million euros in interest.
Prosecutors in Barcelona have alleged the Grammy winner spent more than half of each year between 2012 and 2014 in Spain and should have paid taxes in the country.
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