Shakira’s trial over tax fraud in Spain has been closed barely after it started with the singer escaping jail.
The international pop sensation reached a resolution on the very first day of the trial, agreeing to a suspended three-year sentence and a hefty €7 million fine.
The Grammy-winning artist, known for her chart-topping hits and energetic performances, opted to settle the matter, citing the well-being of her children as a primary motivation.
In a statement following the settlement, Shakira expressed her initial determination to defend her innocence in a trial that her legal team believed would be ruled in her favor.
Shakira’s tax fraud trial in Spain
Spanish prosecutors announced in September that Shakira had been charged with tax evasion after allegedly failing to pay 6.7 million euros ($7.1 million) on her 2018 income.
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Prior to that, Shakira was to stand trial for another case in Spain, where she was accused of failing to pay $15 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014.
The case against the singer hinged on her primary residence from 2012 to 2014, which she argued was in the Bahamas. But prosecutors pointed to the home she purchased in Barcelona in 2012, alleging the Grammy winner spent more than half of the 2012-14 period in Spain.
Settlement for family
While Shakira maintained she was innocent, she ultimately decided to bring the legal battle to an end for the sake of her children.
“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,” sha said in a statement.
The terms of the settlement include a suspended three-year sentence, meaning Shakira will not serve jail time, provided she abides by the law. The BBC reported that the Colombian singer-songwriter will also pay a substantial fine of €7.5 million.
The settlement comes after a prolonged legal process, and the decision to accept these terms reflects Shakira’s desire to move forward and prioritize her family.
Cardi B slams Joe Biden
Meanwhile, rapper Cardi B, has lashed out at President Joseph Biden over announced budget cuts.
A week ago, New York’s mayor, Eric Adams, revealed that a number of the city’s agencies would experience severe cuts in budgets, and this is expected to slash a host of critical municipal services, including trash pickups, afterschool programs, and cops, according to reports.
The news didn’t sit well with New York native Cardi B, and she’s been speaking on it ever since. In her first video post, she wondered what would happen to her family members living in the city.
“What’s going to happen to my nieces, what’s going to happen to my nephews, what’s going to happen to my cousins, my aunts, my friends that’s living in the hood? I’m from the Bronx, I don’t want to see my s–t affected … Everybody be like ‘New York is dirty,’ and it is dirty,” the rapper continued. “And we’re going to get even dirtier with the f—ing budget cut.”