Shakira Faces Call For Eight-Year Prison Term Over Tax Fraud Charge - Report
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Shakira may reportedly end up having an eight-year prison sentence if found guilty of tax fraud.
The Sun reported that the 45-year-old celebrity is facing charges of defrauding the Spanish treasury out of millions. As noted, she is accused of failing to pay taxes amounting to millions between 2012 and 2014.
Spanish prosecutors are reportedly pushing for the “highest-possible sentence” for the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer. It is also said that it covers six separate counts of tax fraud totalling over $14.8 million.
The outlet continued that aside from the prison sentence, prosecutors also asked for a fine of more than $23.5 million should she be found guilty.
The publication did not share how it came to have the latest information regarding the case of Shakira. But, it later pointed out that the singer’s date in court has not been set yet.
Meanwhile, Reuters released a similar report on the matter earlier on Friday. It said that it obtained information regarding the fine and prison term from a document from a prosecutor’s office.
The same legal record is also said to assert that the “Wherever, Whenever” singer was a resident of Spain between 2012 and 2014. It reportedly points out, as well, that she purchased a Barcelona property in May 2012, adding that it became a family home for herself and her family.
When asked for a comment regarding the reported latest developments in the Queen of Latin Pop’s case, reps for her are said to have referred to a previous statement, which surfaced on Wednesday.
As quoted, “[Shakira] is fully confident of her innocence.”
The official statement from the singer’s camp came after she rejected the prosecutor’s offer and opted to go to trial earlier this week. AP News quoted the rest of the piece, which came from her PR firm, Llorente y Cuenca, writing, “[she] chooses to leave the issue in the hands of the law.”
The publication explained that Spanish prosecutors charged the “Waka Waka” artist in 2018, citing the tax fraud allegations.
It consequently noted that the entire case hinges on where Shakira lived from 2012 to 2014. Prosecutors allege she was mostly in Spain at the time, but her official residence was reportedly in the Bahamas.
In addition, the singer’s PR firm argued that she has deposited the amount she is said to owe the Spanish Tax Agency. Furthermore, she does not reportedly have any pending tax debts.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, previously made headlines following her shocking split with Gerard Pique. They share two children, although they never tied the knot in their 12-year relationship.