This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Back in 2019, Shakira was charged with tax fraud in Spain, and while at the time she staunchly denied the allegations, the judge investigating the 44-year-old singer’s case has suggested that she be tried as there is “sufficient evidence of criminality.” Following a three-year investigation on the tax fraud allegations, Judge Marco Juberías recently shared that the case should go to trial, although this suggestion can be appealed by Shakira if she so chooses.
The singer already testified on the allegations back in 2019, denying any claims of tax fraud, but the investigation over the past three years has evidently found that this was not the case. The singer was alleged to not have paid 14.5 million euros ($16.4 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014 in Spain where she was living at the time, putting her in the category of fraud.
Seeing as Shakira lived in the country for more than 200 days in 2012, 2013, and 2014, she was subject to pay taxes, which the singer testified that she had when she spoke on the case in 2019. However, the issue lies in where the 44-year-old’s “main residence” is considered, as Shakira’s team defined her primary place of residence as the Bahamas, explaining why she did not immediately pay taxes in Spain.
According to the judge, there is evidence that the singer used offshore companies to hide the full scope of her income within that three year span and avoid paying taxes on that money. However, Shakira’s representative spoke to CNN on Thursday about the update on the case, saying, “This is an expected step in this process. The legal team maintains its trust and collaboration with the Justice and won't offer any further comments on this matter.”
According to Huffpost, the singer could face a significant fine and even jail time if she is found guilty, but seeing as she is a first time offender the judge could potentially eliminate her prison time if she is sentenced to under two years.
