Prosecutors in Spain Seek 8-Year Prison Sentence for Shakira
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The news comes after reports that the pop star rejected a plea deal.
The past few weeks have not been kind to Shakira.
First, the 45-year-old Colombian pop star split from longtime partner and FC Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué, then her father suffered a 'bad fall', and now Shakira is faced with prison time if convicted in an expected trial for alleged tax fraud, according to a recent ABC News report.
On Friday, prosecutors in Spain said they would ask a court to sentence the singer to eight years and two months in prison as well as enforce a proposed fine of 24 million euros ($24.39 million) to be paid by the pop sensation.
The indictment detailed six charges against Shakira that suggested the "Waka Waka", "Hips Don't Lie", and "Whenever, Wherever" singer failed to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros (which equates to roughly $15 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.
Shakira has maintained her innocence and opted to go to trial by rejecting a plea deal that was offered by Spanish prosecutors to settle the claim on July 28.
No details about the deal have been shared, however, Shakira's team added: "The singer is fully confident of her innocence and therefore does not accept a settlement," in a statement first published by Reuters.
While much of the case remains private, from the little we do know, it all hinges on where Shakira lived between 2012 and 2014.
According to prosecutors, Shakira moved to Spain in 2011 when her relationship with Piqué went public, but the star maintained official residency in the Bahamas until 2015.
Shakira's team denied those claims and said they were "a total violation of her rights," as the singer did not live in Spain and was on various international tours during the years in question.
The singer also claimed to have paid the Spanish tax office the money they insisted she owed plus $3 million in interest (totaling to roughly $17 million) against the advice of her team, according to reports.
Meanwhile, one of the singer's reps announced on Friday, July 29 that Shakira is "confident in her innocence," per People.
"Shakira has always cooperated and abided by the law, demonstrating impeccable conduct as an individual and taxpayer, and faithfully following the counsel of PrinceWaterhouse Coopers, a prestigious and globally recognized tax firm," the statement continued.
Her rep added, "Unfortunately, the Spanish Tax Office, which loses one out of every two lawsuits with its taxpayers, continues to violate her rights and pursue yet another baseless case. Shakira is confident that her innocence will be proven by the end of the judicial process."
A date for the singer's trial has not yet been released.
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