On Wednesday, it was announced that Colombian pop singer Shakira, 45, has decided to go to trial instead of taking a plea. She was offered a deal by Spanish prosecutors to settle claims that she defrauded Spain’s government of $15 million in taxes.
The public relations firm that is working with Shakira stated that she “trusts her innocence and chooses to leave the issue in the hands of the law.”
In 2018, Spanish prosecutors charged the singer with failing to pay the taxes on earnings she made in 2012 and 2014. If she is convicted of tax evasion, she could be fined and imprisoned for 8 years.
No details on the prosecutors’ deal has been released, and there is no trial date as of yet.
Shakira’s attorneys have stated that she has now paid the back taxes with Spanish Tax Agency and no longer is in the arrears.
Shakira is a mother of two children, fathered by Barcelona soccer player Gerard Pique. The couple used to reside together in Barcelona, but not too long ago, their 11-year relationship came to an end.
