Follow Us on Google News
Latin American superstar Shakira could be facing eight years in prison if convicted after the Waka Waka singer rejected a settlement offer in a tax fraud case in Spain.
According to Reuters, prosecutors in Spain are reportedly seeking an eight-year sentence for Shakira if she is convicted in trial over a $15 million tax fraud case.
The singer is accused of failing to pay taxes from 2012 to 2014, a period in which she claims she did not live in Spain. The Waka Waka singer rejected a settlement offer from the prosecutors office to close the case.
The singer opted to go to trial instead, though a date has not been set. A representative for the Colombian musician told PEOPLE she is “confident in her innocence.”
Read more: Tax fraud case: Prosecutor seeking eight-year prison sentence for Shakira
“Shakira has always cooperated and abided by the law, demonstrating impeccable conduct as an individual and a taxpayer, and faithfully following the counsel of PriceWaterhouse Coopers, a prestigious and globally recognized tax firm,” the report said.
Their statement continues, “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 case. Shakira is confident that her innocence will be proven by the end of the judicial process.”