Shakira Settles Her Tax Fraud Case On The First Day Of Trial

November 21, 2023

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Correction Spain Shakira Taxes — CORRECTS DATE - Colombian performer Shakira, right, and lawyer Pau Molins arrive at court in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. Global pop star Shakira is summoned on Monday to a Barcelona courthouse for the opening day of her trial for allegedly defrauding Spanish tax officials of millions of euros. Shakira faces six counts of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros (now $15.8 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Chattanooga, Tennessee—(Pulse)

Shakira will avoid prison time after reaching a settlement with prosecutors on the first day of her tax fraud trial in Spain. The terms of the deal include the Columbian superstar admitting that she failed to pay the Spanish government about $15.8 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014. She’ll also pay an $8 million fine and receive a three-year suspended sentence. Prosecutors had been seeking 8 years in prison and a $26 million fine. But Shakira is out of trouble just yet. She’s also facing tax evasion charges in Spain for failing to pay taxes in 2018. “I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight,” she said in a statement. “I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love, my kids and all the opportunities to come in.”