As if Shakira wasn’t already going through enough after her split with longtime boyfriend Gerard Pique earlier this year, the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer is still embroiled in a lawsuit with Spanish authorities who accuse her of not paying taxes. With a $300 million net worth and a booming music career, it’s hard to believe that the Colombian hitmaker wasn’t keeping up with her finances, but according to the court docs, Shakira allegedly failed to file her taxes between 2012 and 2014.
The 45-year-old has vehemently denied that she owes any money, asserting that she was actually living in the Bahamas at the time and never spent more than 183 days in Spain (the amount of time you’d have to stay there before paying taxes). The case is now being taken to trial, with prosecutors wanting her to face up to eight years in prison and be fined $24 million if she’s found guilty of the fraud allegations.
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In a new statement issued to the Daily Mail, however, Shakira said that she’s a victim of a smear campaign and that the Spanish justice system is “not respecting the legal certainty that must be guaranteed to any taxpayer, not my fundamental rights.” She continued, “In my case, they have violated my right to privacy and the presumption of innocence, basic rights of any citizen.”
A legal representative for the “Don’t Bother” artist expressed great certainty that when trial commences, their client is confident that she can prove her innocence and that Spanish authorities had made an indisputable error.
“Shakira is a taxpayer who has always shown impeccable tax conduct and has never had tax problems in any other jurisdiction,” the statement read.
“With no solid evidence to support the charges against her, she has been fiercely persecuted in the criminal and media spheres using unacceptable methods to damage her reputation and force her to come to a settlement agreement.
.@shakira was the 6th most streamed female artist on Global Spotify yesterday, surpassing Dua Lipa. pic.twitter.com/swOyWLAlIj
— Fati | MONOTONÍA 🫀🗡️ (@fatishakifan1) November 25, 2022
“Shakira wishes to express her absolute confidence in the independence of the Spanish justice system and her firm conviction that, after the trial, her full innocence will prevail.”
It was just a few weeks back when reports claimed Shakira was set to relocate from Spain, where she had staying since 2015, and join her relatives out in Miami. Her two children, Sasha and Milan, are also said to be going with their mother after she and Gerard were able to reach a custodial agreement that worked in both of their favor.