Spanish authorities open second probe on alleged tax fraud by Shakira

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
20 Jul 2023 23:28

Shakira's two cases are being handled in a court located in Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona.

Singer Shakira pictured at Radio City Music Hall in May 2022. (AP)

Shakira is facing another tax-related probe in Spain after a court in Barcelona said on Thursday said the Columbian singer is facing a second case of alleged tax fraud.

The first case involves allegations that the Grammy winner failed to pay €14.5m ($13.9m) in taxes on income earned between 2012 and 2014.

While the date for the trial has yet to be determined, the case hinges on where Shakira resided during the time period from 2012-14.

Prosecutors say Shakira should have paid taxes in Spain given that she had spent more than half of this period living in the country.

While Shakira has denied the accusations, a Spanish judge said the court has agreed to launch an investigation on two possible cases of tax fraud from 2018. As per the court, there is no specific information on exactly how much money was involved in the alleged fraud scheme.

The two cases are being handled in a court located in Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona.

Shakira’s public relations firm, Llorente y Cuenca, said in a statement in Spanish that the artist had "always acted in concordance with the law and on the advice of her financial adviser," adding that she has yet to receive details regarding the second investigation.

"[Shakira] is now focused on her artistic career in Miami and is calm and confident that she will receive a favorable resolution of her fiscal issues," the firm said.

In recent years, Spanish authorities have been cracking down on celebrities, such as football players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, for failing to pay their taxes.

Although both were found guilty of evasion, they averted jail time thanks to a provision that allows prosecutors to waive sentences under two years in length for first-time offenders.