Colombian superstar Shakira can finally breathe a sigh of relief as her legal saga in Spain takes a significant turn.
The 47-year-old singer, known for her iconic hits like “Hips Don’t Lie,” emerged victorious as Spanish investigators dropped the criminal tax evasion case against her due to a purported “lack of evidence.”
Shakira found herself embroiled in legal trouble over allegations of evading €6.6 million in taxes owed for the year 2018, with prosecutors claiming she utilized companies and tax havens to deceive the Spanish government.
However, this week, authorities revealed that the case against the pop star was dismissed due to insufficient evidence, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite agreeing to settle her alleged debt by paying the entire amount owed to the Spanish government last August, the court deemed there wasn’t enough evidence to constitute a criminal offense against the tax authorities.
Moreover, it concluded that Shakira had no intent to defraud the government, thus leading to the dismissal of the case.
Shakira’s defense attorney, Pau Molins, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating:
“[This] puts an end to the smear campaign waged by the tax authorities…[and] proves there was never any fraudulent behavior on the part of the singer.”
Molins added that Shakira is “completely satisfied” with the acknowledgment that she had not committed any criminal fraud.
While this legal victory marks a significant milestone for Shakira, her legal entanglements in Spain are not entirely resolved.
She still faces a dispute over the duration of her stay in the country in 2011 while in a relationship with Barcelona soccer player Gerard Piqué. The dispute revolves around the number of days Shakira spent in Spain, as she claimed to have resided there for only 70 days that year, well below the threshold for owing taxes.
Previously, Shakira faced the prospect of an 8-year prison sentence and a three-week trial over her Spanish tax bills between 2012 and 2014.
However, she reached a settlement and agreed to pay an additional €7.8 million on top of the €17.45 million she had already paid for her time in Spain.
Despite the legal hurdles, Shakira continues to navigate her career and personal life. Following her breakup with Piqué in June 2022 after an 11-year relationship, the singer relocated with their two sons to Miami, seeking solace amidst the legal turmoil.
As the dust begins to settle on Shakira’s legal battles, she can now focus on her music and family, relieved of the weight of legal uncertainties that have loomed over her in recent years.
