Hips Don’t Lie singer Shakira is Facing a $24 Million Fine and 8 years in prison for unsettled Spanish taxes

The three-time Grammy Award-winning celebrity singer Shakira could face a huge fine and long prison sentence if convicted in her trial for alleged tax fraud by the Spanish government.

The Spanish prosecutors are requesting her to be fined $24 million and be sentenced to eight years and two months in prison. The Spanish judicial ministry offered her a settlement agreement earlier this week, but she rejected it and chose trial and a trial date is yet to be set.

According to Fox News, her representative told:

“Shakira has always cooperated and abided by the law, demonstrating impeccable conduct as an individual and a taxpayer, and faithfully following the counsel of PriceWaterhouse Coopers, a prestigious and globally recognized tax firm.”

Furthermore, they added:

“Unfortunately, the Spanish Tax Office, which loses one out of every two lawsuits with its taxpayers, continues to violate her rights and pursue yet another baseless case. Shakira is confident that her innocence will be proven by the end of the judicial process.”

The Spanish tax office is accusing Shakira of failing to pay the tax amount of 14.5 million euros ($15 million) from 2012 to 2014. Prosecutors reported that she spent more than six months in both 2012 and 2014 in Spain, and as a result of this she is required to pay taxes in the country.

A Spanish prosecutor has asked for more than eight years in prison for Colombian superstar Shakira and a fine of more than $23.5 million in a tax fraud case, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported https://t.co/PBXXxZTI9j

— Reuters (@Reuters) July 29, 2022

Meanwhile, Shakira has countered that she did not move officially to Spain until 2015. She also added that she had been frequently traveling during the period in question. The world-famous singer is facing a total of six charges. In May 2022, she appealed the same tax fraud charges, but the court dismissed her request.

Also Read: Five Protesters were killed in the anti-UN Movement in Goma of Congo Today

On the other hand, Shakira is arguing that she did not change her legal residency to Barcelona, Spain until 2015. She is reportedly looking to leave the Catalonian city and seeking a move to the U.S. after her tragic breakup with her partner Gérard Piqué, a soccer player for FC Barcelona.

Read More: Meet The World’s Youngest Serial Killer from India Amarjeet Sada, Who Killed Three Children By The Age of Eight