ENTERTAINMENT

Shakira Pays Additional £5.7 Million in Ongoing Spanish Tax Fraud Investigation

Shakira Pays Additional £5.7 Million in Ongoing Spanish Tax Fraud Investigation

Pop icon Shakira has recently made another significant payment of over £5.5 million to a Spanish court amidst ongoing investigations into her alleged tax fraud. This payment comes shortly after she agreed to pay a £6.4 million fine in a separate case.

The latest sum of £5.7 million is said to cover the £5.3 million prosecutors claim she evaded, along with additional interest. This development is part of a broader investigation into the Colombian artist’s suspected tax breaches in 2018.

This probe follows Shakira’s recent admission to six counts of tax fraud, amounting to £12.7 million, for the years 2012, 2013, and 2014. The admission was made at the start of last week in a separate case, which was settled in a Barcelona court.

Catalonian judicial officials confirmed in July that Shakira was being investigated for possible tax breaches in 2018. A spokesperson from Catalonia’s High Court of Justice stated, “Court of Instruction Number 2 in Esplugues de Llobregat has opened a procedure against Shakira for two suspected tax crimes related to income tax and wealth tax for the Spanish tax year of 2018.”

Although Shakira has not yet been questioned by a judge, it is likely that any future interrogation could occur via video link, allowing her to remain in Miami, her current base.

In a heartfelt statement, Shakira expressed her decision to settle these legal matters for the sake of her children, Milan and Sasha. She emphasized her desire to focus on their well-being and to avoid subjecting them to the distress of a prolonged legal battle. Shakira also highlighted the need for a revision of Spain’s tax system, advocating for the rights of those unable to afford adequate legal defense.

The singer, known for her philanthropic efforts, was handed a three-year prison sentence in the initial case, which was later substituted by a fine, thereby avoiding jail time. She has already repaid the accused tax evasion amount, which with interest, totalled nearly £15 million. Additionally, Shakira was ordered to pay a fine of £378,000 to prevent imprisonment.

As Shakira navigates these legal challenges, she remains committed to her music career and philanthropic endeavors, looking to close this chapter and move forward positively.

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