Shakira could be in legal trouble. Image Source: Independent UK
Shakira could be in deep legal trouble.
Shakira, real name Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, has decided to take her $15 million tax fraud case to court, denying the plea deal.
According to the reports from Reuters, Colombian pop singer Shakira was charged by the prosecutors there for cheating the government of 14.5 million euros, or almost $15 million in taxes (tax envision) in 2018. Spanish prosecutors have mentioned that Shakira who had been living in Spain between 2012 to 2014 did not pay the liable taxes to the government of Spain. The indictment details six counts against the singer.
Earlier this week, the singer's attorney mentioned that she has decided to turn down the plea agreement, arguing that Shakira was not living in Spain at the time mentioned and is going to trust the law and head for a trial. The accusations came over a year after Shakira's name appeared in the Paradise Papers, a thorough examination of the methods used by the famous and wealthy to covertly transfer money abroad.
According to the records, Shakira lived in Spain regularly between 2012 and 2014. In May 2012, she purchased a residence in Barcelona that served as a home for her, her lover Gerard Piqué, and their 2013-born son Milan Piqué. According to Billboard, the singer at that time named the Bahamas as her official residence but was living in Barcelona. If Shakira is found guilty, prosecutors want to sentence her to eight years in jail and penalize her $23.5 million. There is no definite date for the trial.
Shakira believes the lawsuit is a complete breach of her rights and is adamant that she is innocent. According to Shakira's PR firm, Llorente y Cuenca, Shakira has always cooperated and followed the law, displaying perfect character as a person and a taxpayer. She has decided to let the judicial system handle the problem since she is sure of her innocence. Shakira claims that she has already paid the 17.2 million euros that the Spanish tax authority stated she owed and that she has no outstanding debts to the tax office.
Shakira went before a court in December 2019 and categorically denied any wrongdoing as part of an investigation into her alleged tax fraud. The court dismissed her appeal and recommended a trial in May. Judge Marco Juberas of Spain concluded that there was "sufficient proof of criminality" for the case to move forward to trial after a three-year inquiry.
Talking about the Paradise Papers, which were released in November 2017, showed that Shakira had given €30 million in musical rights to an offshore company based on the Maltese island of Gozo. According to Shakira's attorney, the tax sheltering was legal. He told a Spanish news outlet that the offshore company "fulfills all legal criteria" and that "all of the related information relative to this corporation is public and open."
Shakira's team claimed to People at the time that the singer owed no money to the Spanish tax authorities and that the prosecutor was waging a "smear campaign" against her and using her as a "scapegoat" to intimidate other taxpayers. The team further said that Shakira's conduct regarding tax concerns has always been perfect in all the nations she was required to pay taxes to, and she has trusted and dutifully followed the suggestions of the greatest professionals and counselors.
Shakira, and Gerard Pique, who had been together for 11 years, announced their breakup about two months ago. The couple expressed their sorrow at having to acknowledge their split in a statement released by Shakira's PR firm. According to the statement, they have decided to go their separate ways but ask that everyone respect their privacy because their children's well-being is their first concern. Shakira and Gerard both expressed their gratitude for everyone's assistance and support during the trying times.
