Colombian singer Shakira agreed to a deal with Spanish prosecutors to resolve a tax fraud case before her trial started.
The singer had to pay a fine of €7. 5 million (equivalent to £6. 5 million) instead of going to jail for eight years. Prosecutors had wanted to jail her and fine her €23. 8 million (equivalent to £20. 8 million) if she was found guilty.
She was accused of cheating on her taxes for €14. 5m (£127m) in a court in Barcelona.
Shakira said she settled because she wanted to do what is best for her kids. She has said she didn’t do anything wrong.
She said her kids do not want to see her suffer while fighting this.
The performer said no to a deal from the lawyers and decided to go to trial.
She said that in her career, she always tried to do the right thing and be a good role model for others.
“Sadly, even though I tried my best, the tax authorities in Spain are accusing me, like they have with many other famous athletes and people. This has taken away their energy, time, and peace for many years. ”
“I was ready to prove I didn’t do anything wrong in court, and my lawyers were sure I would win. But I’ve decided to settle the case for the sake of my kids. They don’t want to see me struggle and sacrifice my happiness. ”
Problem involving residency
During 2012 to 2014, Shakira was accused of living in Spain but claiming to live somewhere else.
In July, lawyers said that she bought a house in Barcelona in 2012. She lived there with her then-boyfriend, a Barcelona football player.
Her lawyers said that before 2014, she made most of her money from concerts in other countries and she was often away from Spain for a long time.
“The Spanish tax authorities got excited when they found out I was dating a Spanish citizen. ” “It’s obvious that they were determined to get that money no matter what,” she told Elle magazine.
In 2015, Shakira said she lived in Spain for taxes. She said she paid €17. 2m (£15m) in tax and doesn’t owe any money.
In 2019, Mr. Piqué was fined €2. 1 million (or £1. 8 million) by a court in Spain for not paying taxes between 2008 and 2010.
In early June, the couple said they broke up after being together for 11 years. They have two boys, one is seven years old and the other is nine years old.