Spanish judge approved Tuesday’s trial of Shakira, a Colombian pop singer, on tax fraud charges.
Spanish prosecutors charged the entertainer with failing to pay 14.5m euros ($13.9) tax on income earned between 2012-2014. If she is found guilty, the prosecution will seek an eight-year sentence in prison and a heavy fine.
Shakira, 45 years old, repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. She also rejected an offer from authorities to stay out of court. According to her public relations firm, she has already paid the entire amount due and 3 million euros ($2.8million) interest.
The trial date has not yet been set.
It all comes down to where Shakira lived between 2012 and 2014. Barcelona’s Prosecutors allege that the Grammy winner spent more time in Spain than she should have and should have paid taxes there, even though she was residing in the Bahamas.
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Spanish soccer player Gerard Pique. She has been associated with Spain ever since her relationship with him. They have two children together.
Spain has taken action against soccer stars Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Rojo for failing to pay their taxes over the past decade. Both were found guilty of tax evasion and sentenced to prison which was waived for first-time offenders.
