Shakira strikes a deal on first day of tax fraud trial, dodges prison – Inside details

financialexpress.com:

Colombian pop sensation Shakira found herself at the center of a legal battle involving tax fraud allegations that spanned nearly five years, culminating in a dramatic turn of events on the opening day of her trial in Barcelona. Maintaining her innocence until the last moment, Shakira unexpectedly struck a deal with Spanish prosecutors to avert the looming threat of imprisonment.

Facing accusations of failing to pay 14.5 million euros in taxes to the Spanish government between 2012 and 2014, Shakira, 46, accepted a settlement agreement during the trial’s onset. The agreement acknowledged six counts of tax evasion, sparing her from an eight-year, two-month prison sentence and a 24 million euros fine initially sought by prosecutors. Instead, she received a suspended three-year sentence and a 7 million euros fine.

The trial, anticipated to involve over 100 witnesses in the upcoming weeks, abruptly ended after merely eight minutes as Shakira concurred with the negotiated terms. This legal episode focused on her residency during the mentioned period, with prosecutors contending that she spent more than half the time in Spain and should have paid taxes on her global income, despite officially residing in the Bahamas, where tax rates are considerably lower.

Expressing her decision’s rationale, Shakira emphasized prioritizing her family, career, and peace of mind. In a statement released by her public relations firm, she acknowledged the toll the legal ordeal had taken on her emotional well-being and stated her intent to shift her focus to her children and future career opportunities.

The case’s trajectory evolved significantly since Shakira initially refused a deal proposed by prosecutors in July 2022, asserting her belief in