Tax fraud: Shakira admits her guilt and will pay a fine of 7.3 million euros

On Monday, singer Shakira concluded an agreement with the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office to end her trial for tax fraud, which has just begun in Barcelona, ​​in exchange for an admission of guilt and a fine of 7.3 million euros.

• Read also: Shakira is accused of tax evasion before judges in Spain

Under this agreement, which was announced by the president of the court on Monday, the Colombian artist receives a three-year suspended prison sentence, which will be commuted to a fine, and a financial penalty in an amount equivalent to “50%” of the value of the fine. Fraud, the judge declared at the opening of the trial.

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According to the information reported to the court, this fine amounts to more than 7.3 million euros. The Colombian singer has already paid 17.2 million euros to the Spanish tax authorities in this case, with the aim of settling her situation.

Upon his arrival to court at around nine in the morning, the international star, who was wearing a pink uniform, indicated to the judge that he admitted his guilt and accepted the sentences imposed on him. She left the court immediately after the verdict was pronounced, without making any statements to the press.

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However, in a press release sent by her lawyers, the singer continues to proclaim her “innocence” and claims that she chose to plead guilty to protect her career as well as her children, by avoiding “years” of legal action.

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“I had two choices: to continue the struggle until the end, jeopardizing my peace of mind and the peace of mind of my children, or to stop producing songs, albums and tours,” she says, “or to close this chapter of my life and leave it behind me.”

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“I get to choose my battles, and what’s most important to me right now is to do everything I can to make sure my kids live full lives and focus on what’s really important: seeing them grow and have fun,” the singer adds.

The prosecution accused Shakira of not paying her taxes in Spain in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014, while, according to him, in those years she lived more than 183 days a year in the country, which is the minimum beyond which a person must be considered a person. Tax assessor there.

He had asked to be sentenced to eight years and two months in prison and a fine of 23.8 million euros.