Grammy-winning Colombian superstar Shakira reached a deal with Spanish authorities on Monday (November 20) to avoid trial in a tax fraud case that was due to start that day.
A statement released by the Barcelona prosecutor's office says Shakira admitted the charges against her and agreed to pay the amount owed in full and an additional fine.
The statement says the singer paid a total of €17.5 million ($19 million), an amount composed of the taxes she owed plus interest as well as a fine of €7.3 million ($8 million).
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of more than eight years in prison if Shakira were convicted on all six counts of tax fraud. Now, according to the settlement, she would pay additional fines of about $437 a day for a three-year sentence, or just over $470,000.
The court proceedings ended in ten minutes on Monday, with the judge announcing a last-minute agreement submitted by all parties to avoid trial. Shakira said "yes," when the judged asked her if she was aware of the deal and the latest fines agreed.
Shakira said in a statement that she "was ready to face trial and defend my innocence" but came "to the conclusion that it is not a triumph to win if the price is that (they) steal so many years of life."
"I had two options: keep fighting until the end, taking my peace of mind and that of my children, stop making songs, albums and tours, without being able to enjoy my career and the things I like; or agree, close and leave this chapter of my life behind, looking forward (to the future)," she added.
Spanish prosecutors had alleged the Colombian singer failed to pay personal income and wealth tax between 2012 and 2014, currently valued at about $15.6 million.
In a 2021 ruling, Judge Marco Jesús Juberías said Shakira lived in Spain for more than 200 days in each of those three years, making her liable to pay taxes.
(Photo: Jaume de Laiguana)
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