Shakira has been charged with tax evasion for failure to pay millions of dollars between 2012 and 2014.
Prosecutors in Spain claim the singer owes more than $16.3 million, according to People. Charges filed on Friday state that Shakira listed the Bahamas as her primary residence for tax reasons, though she was actually living in Barcelona with partner Gerard Pique and children Sasha, 3, and Milan, 5.
The prosecution claims she lived there from 2012 to 2014, but she claims she spent no more than 183 days there during that time.
Sources close to the Columbian musician say she is innocent. The insider alleged that the recent filing is nothing more than a “smear campaign,” adding that the investigation and charges are meant to intimidate other taxpayers. The source said Shakira, 41, paid the money she’s accused of owing in full.
Her team claims Shakira’s being used as a “scapegoat.”
The case is now in the hands of a judge who will have to decide if there’s enough evidence to bring the case to court, the Associated Press reported. This investigation into Shakira’s taxes has been open since January of 2018.
