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Shakira has been battling the Spanish government for five years over her tax fraud case, and she finally came to a resolution with just moments to spare. The 46-year-old musician’s trial was only eight minutes in when she struck a deal with the prosecutors to avoid the possibility of prison if she was found guilty. However, her agreement certainly has some huge financial consequences.
The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer had to “confirm her acknowledgment of six counts of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros (about $15.8 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014,” according to the Associated Press. Shakira won’t see any prison time, but she has some hefty fees to pay. In addition to the $15.8 million she already owes, she received a three-year suspended sentence with an $8 million fine, and a $472,000 fee to have her prison term waived. That’s over $24.2 million in taxes, fees, and fines!
The other issue is that “she now has it on her legal record that she was found guilty of tax fraud” — and she has a second tax fraud case pending for her 2018 taxes in Spain. That admission could affect the outcome of the upcoming trial, so her financial woes aren’t over just yet. Shakira said in a statement released by her publicist to AP that it was time for her to move on.
“I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight,” she said in the statement. “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.”
Shakira had maintained for years that she was innocent of all charges, but as her defense lawyer Miriam Company told reporters outside the courtroom, “This has been a difficult decision that took time to reach. Her legal team had prepared the trial and were convinced we could demonstrate her innocence, but the circumstances changed and (Shakira) opted to accept the deal.” Shakira wasn’t the only superstar to find themselves in trouble with the Spanish government as soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also settled tax issues in the last few years.
Before you go, click here to see the most important celebrity lawsuits over the past 15 years.
