Latest: Shakira facing fine of $23 million and 8 years in jail over unpaid Spanish taxes

For allegedly dodging taxes totaling $14.8 million, Spanish authorities have slapped music singer Shakira with a lengthy prison sentence and a huge fine.

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Prosecutors in Spain are accusing Shakira of committing six tax evasions and recommending an eight-and-a-half-year term and a $23.5 million fine, according to El Pas.

Shakira’s case will be heard at a court near her home in Barcelona. Shakira is expected to be called to testify at a hearing in the coming weeks.

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It was only in May of last year that Shakira’s plea to have the case thrown out was unsuccessful. A settlement arrangement provided by Spain’s judiciary ministry earlier this week was rejected by the artist. On that occasion, she accused prosecutors of being “uncompromising” and using “improper means” to force her into accepting a plea bargain.

Negotiations between El Pas and Shakira have yet to begin, but the current judgement indicates that she will certainly have to testify at some time, even if it is merely to approve any deal that may be negotiated. sources close to the artist tell El Pas that Shakira is adamant that the case will be completed.

Claimed fraud occurred between 2012 and 2014, when Spanish prosecutors allege that Shakira was living in Barcelona while maintaining a fiscal residence in the Bahamas and avoiding Spanish taxes, according to the newspaper.

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Since her official move to Spain wasn’t completed until 2015, Colombian actress Sofia Vergara has taken issue with claims that she had been a frequent traveler between 2013 and 2014.

According to the prosecution, Shakira was residing in Barcelona based on data from hair salons, a maternity clinic, and a recording studio she rented.

During the upcoming hearing, Shakira’s legal team has stated that the singer “never remained in Spain long enough” between 2012 and 2014 to trigger tax laws, and that the prosecution relied on “indirect” evidence to back its assertions on Shakira’s residency.

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Has claimed that PricewaterhouseCoopers, a London-based consulting firm specializing in financial services and tax law, advised her throughout the period in issue and that she is “completely willing to address any disputes” with the tax office if they are determined to be legitimate. According to El Pas, the company has not been identified as a party to the litigation.

According to rumors, Shakira, who claims that she moved to Barcelona legally in 2015, is planning to leave the Catalonian city and the country. According to reports, the singer is considering relocating to the United States after calling it quits with Piqué, her longtime partner, just a month ago.

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