The famous singer has agreed to pay a £7million fine to avoid jail over tax fraud allegations.
Colombian pop singer Shakira, 46, was recently summoned to a Barcelona court because she faced eight years in prison for allegedly defrauding Spanish tax authorities of around £12.7 million.
Those are some big numbers!
The singer and former coach of The voice He had to appear before a Barcelona court where he faced an eight-year prison sentence over accusations of defrauding Spanish tax authorities of around £12.7 million. The singer faced six charges of failing to pay the amount in taxes between 2012 and 2014. With interest, it is reported that the amount is actually almost £15 million.
Shakira will also have to pay a fine of approximately £378,000 to avoid a prison sentence.
According to a statement from her representatives, Shakira’s legal team expressed confidence in winning the case. However, she chose to settle for the well-being of her children.
“Throughout my career, I have always strived to do the right thing and set a positive example for others,” the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer said.
“Although I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my attorneys were confident would have ruled in my favor, I made the decision to ultimately resolve this matter in the best interest of my children who do not want to see their children. Mom sacrifices her personal well-being in this fight.
“I need to get over the stress and emotional toll of the last few years and focus on the things I love: my children and all the opportunities coming in my career, including my upcoming world tour and my new album, both of which I am very excited about.
“I greatly admire those who have fought against these injustices until the end, but for me, today, winning is recovering time for my children and my career.”
The mother of two went on to explain that her children greatly influenced her decision.
“I have to choose my battles and the most important thing for me right now is that my children live a full life and I focus on what is really important: watching them grow and spending time with them, without subjecting them to the anguish of watching them grow. his mother in a court trial with the damage that this causes.
“They themselves asked me to do this and I made this decision for them.
“They have been through difficult times and I want them to finally see me happy and be able to look to the future together.”
Shakira also stated that this battle to redeem herself has caused her extreme stress and ultimately caused her to waste a significant amount of time and resources.
“I felt prepared to face a trial and defend my innocence.
“My lawyers were convinced we had a winning case.
“However, I have made this decision after a struggle that lasted many years.
“I had two options, continue until the end, mortgage my happiness and that of my children, stop making songs and albums and go on tours, not being able to enjoy my career and the things I love, or make a pact and close and leave.” back. I look forward to this chapter of my life.
“I have come to the conclusion that it is not a triumph to win if the price you have to pay is to have so many years of your life stolen.”
Shakira heads to court
The “La La La” singer was photographed early this morning confidently entering the Barcelona Provincial Court in a pink suit and a matching designer bag. His lawyer, Pau Molins, next to him.
AFP
Judge José Manuel del Amo asked Shakira to take the stand after the lawyers involved in the case declared that an agreement had been reached in public hearing.
“Do you accept the charges against you and the new replacement sentences you face?” asked Judge Mauel.
EPA
“Yes,” Shakira responded.
At first, the judge reiterated that, in light of the agreement, he would give Shakira a three-year prison sentence (six months for each of the six counts of tax fraud she had admitted). He then suggested that Shakira pay a fine.
In a pre-trial indictment, Spanish prosecutors revealed they were seeking a prison sentence of eight years and two months for Shakira and a fine of around £21 million. This would have been imposed if the judges found her guilty of the six counts of tax fraud allegedly committed in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The trial will take place in 12 sessions on non-consecutive days at the Provincial Court of Barcelona and will conclude on December 14. Spanish prosecutors have outlined the basis of their case against Shakira in a 15-page indictment presented to an investigating magistrate.
In the official document they allege that the artist, whose real name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, resided in Spain “regularly” during the fiscal years 2012 to 2014. According to Spanish tax regulations, individuals who spend more than 183 days in a calendar year in the country are considered residents of Spain for tax purposes and are required to declare their global income.
YouTube video “Hips don’t lie”
State prosecutors claim that Shakira, “knowing that she lived regularly in Spain and remained in the country for most of the year,” decided to use an existing offshore corporate framework to hide her profits around the world so she could evade income tax payments. income and assets.
In November of last year, a statement issued by Shakira’s publicists in Barcelona LLYC He said: “Shakira is a taxpayer who has always displayed impeccable tax conduct and has never had tax problems in any other jurisdiction.
“The singer had top-level advisors such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
“He never exceeded the 183 days of stay in Spain required to be a tax resident.
“Without solid evidence to support the charges against her, she has been fiercely pursued in the criminal and media spheres using unacceptable methods to damage her reputation and force her to settle.”
Shakira has since insisted that she is being “persecuted” and accused the Spanish Treasury of using “unacceptable methods to damage her reputation and force her to settle.”
So while things are starting to look up for the “Beautiful Liar” singer, she’s not out of the woods yet.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn