Shakira May Face 8 years Jail Time if Found Guilty of Tax Fraud
Prosecutors in Spain announced Friday that they would seek an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Colombian music diva Shakira if she is found guilty of tax fraud.
During the period between 2012 and 2014, the Spanish government claims that Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, failed to pay the government $14.5 million in taxes. Additionally, the prosecution are seeking a fine of €24 million ($24 million).
The charges against Shakira are laid forth in the indictment. Prosecutors offered the artist a settlement proposal this week, but the musician refused it and decided to go to trial. An exact trial date has not yet been decided.
“has always cooperated and abided by the law, demonstrating impeccable conduct as an individual and a taxpayer.” her publicists in London said on Friday in a statement. According to the publicists, the Spanish Tax Agency had violated the woman’s civil rights.
According to Shakira’s Spanish public relations staff, she has deposited the 3 million euros in interest and the money she allegedly owes.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter with tax evasion in Barcelona, where prosecutors claim she spent more than half of each year between 2012 and 2014 living there.
After an 11-year romance with Gerard Piqué, Shakira and the FC Barcelona star had two children together. The family was formerly based in the city of Barcelona.