Shakira Tax Fraud Trial Update: Shakira Might Get Charged With 8.2 Years Imprisonment

Shakira, the Colombian pop singer, has been charged with tax evasion in Spain. The famous singer could spend up to eight years in imprisonment if found guilty.

Shakira, whose real identity is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, is accused of omitting to pay taxes. Approximately $15 million in taxes to the Spanish government throughout 2012 and 2014 has been counted. Prosecutors declared that they would also pursue a $24.5 million penalty.

According to a statement sent by her public affairs company Llorente y Cuenca on Wednesday, the musician “trusts her honesty and chose to put the matter in the arms of the authorities.” What you need to grasp about the ongoing tax fraud case is explained below.

Will Shakira Face Legal Action For Tax Fraud?

Shakira, 45, turned down a plea bargain from the prosecution. Moreover, her tax fraud case is now likely to proceed to trial. There is no definite date for the trial. The prosecution team is asking the state to sentence her to precisely 8.2 years in prison if she is found guilty.

When a first criminal receives a sentence of fewer than two years in jail, the judge may decide to waive their prison time.

Timeline Of Shakira Charged With Tax Fraud

In December 2018, the prosecution team filed a tax evasion allegation against Shakira. They alleged that somewhere between 2012 and 2014, Shakira neglected to pay a huge amount of taxes to the government of Spain.

Shakira claims that she dwelled in the Bahamas during all those years. However, according to the prosecution, Shakira resided in Spain alongside the father of her baby, ex-partner, Gerard Piqué, the famous Spanish soccer player.

What did Shakira say Regarding Tax Fraud?

As part of an ongoing investigation in and out of her purported tax evasion, Shakira gave testimony in front of a judge in 2019. She vehemently denied the allegations. Shakira paid the amount in full with interest as soon as she learned about it from the tax office, according to her PR firm.

Her residence during the relevant years is a key factor in the case. According to the three-year investigation conducted by Spanish Judge Marco Juberas, there was “adequate proof of wrongdoing” for the case to proceed to trial.