Following a court in Spain dismissing Shakira‘s appeal to squash proceedings against her on tax fraud charges, the tax-evasion case against the singer now looks headed for a trial.
The charge against Shakira was made by Spanish prosecutors in December 2018 after she failed to pay 14.5 million euros ($15.5 million) in taxes on income earned between 2012 and 2014. The singer denied any wrongdoing when she testified.
Prosecutors also alleged that Shakira lived mostly in Spain despite having an official residence in the Bahamas.
In its ruling on Thursday, the Spanish court said the evidence suggests Shakira was “a habitual resident in Spain,” adding that documentation failed to substantiate her residence for tax purposes in another country, and upheld an earlier ruling of Judge Marco JuberÃas that his probe found “sufficient evidence of criminality” for the case to go to trial.
“Shakira’s conduct on tax matters has always been impeccable in all the countries where she has had to pay taxes, and she has trusted and faithfully followed the recommendations of the best specialists and expert advisors,” Shaira’s P.R. firm said in a statement.
Shakira’s legal team will continue to “defend her innocence,” according to the statement.
The singer faces a possible fine and a prison sentence, if found guilty of tax evasion. However, a waiver of prison sentence is possible for first-time offenders if they are sentenced to less than two years behind bars.
(Photo: Xavi Menos)
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