SHAKIRA: Tax Fraud Case Going to Trial

A Spanish judge ruled against Shakira, who has been charged with tax fraud and faces more than eight years behind prison bars.

Prosecutors allege that Shakira short-changed the Spanish government of $15 million in taxes. If she loses in court, they could fine Shakira almost twice that amount.

Jurors must determine Shakira’s honest residency. Prosecutors say she lived in Spain with her husband a professional soccer player. Yet Shakira declared to avoid Spanish taxes that the Bahamas are her official residence.

She was offered plea deals to avoid imprisonment, but Shakira rejected a settlement. Her defense attorney said, (quote) “Unfortunately, the Spanish Tax Office — which loses one out of every two lawsuits with its taxpayers — continues to violate her rights and pursue yet another baseless