Pop star Shakira has reached a last-minute deal on the first day of her tax fraud trial in Barcelona, avoiding the risk of imprisonment. After nearly five years of maintaining her innocence, Shakira acknowledged six counts of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($15.8 million) in taxes to the Spanish government between 2012 and 2014.
Under the deal, Shakira will receive a suspended three-year sentence and pay fines totaling 7.7 million euros ($8.5 million). The trial, which was expected to feature over 100 witnesses, was abruptly called off after only eight minutes.
The tax fraud case revolved around Shakira’s residency during the period in question, with prosecutors arguing that she spent a significant amount of time in Spain and should have paid taxes on her global income, despite her official residence being in the Bahamas, where tax rates are lower.
In a statement, Shakira expressed her desire to prioritize her family and career, stating, “I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love, my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career.”
While this deal spares Shakira from imprisonment, it places on her legal record a guilty finding of tax fraud, which may impact another pending case with tax officials. Her troubles with Spain’s tax office continue, as she faces separate charges for the alleged evasion of 6.7 million euros in tax on her 2018 income.
Shakira, who has two children with Barcelona soccer star Gerard Piqué, thanked her fans in Spain after the Latin Grammy Awards gala in Seville and acknowledged their support in both good and challenging times.
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