Shakira faces up to 8 years in prison for allegedly not paying taxes in Spain
Shakira is facing up to eight years in prison as she rejected a Spanish prosecutor's attempts to settle a tax fraud case against her.
The singer's decision to forgo a plea deal means the case is now headed to trial. She was previously accused of failing to pay $15 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014 in Spain, a period in which the star says she was not living in the country.
According to court documents obtained by Reuters, Shakira was a resident there during that time frame, as she purchased a home in Barcelona in 2012. (Her official residence was listed as the Bahamas.) In addition to prison time, the filing calls for a fine of $24 million should she be found guilty.
A statement from the 45-year-old pop star's representatives this week maintained that she is "fully confident of her innocence" and says the case is "a total violation of her rights."
Cindy Ord/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Shakira
The news comes after Shakira rejected a settlement offer, the details of which have not been disclosed. She has previously insisted she paid the tax authorities in the region of $18 million and currently has no outstanding debt.
No date for the trial has been set.
The story emerges a month after she and her partner of 11 years, Gerard Piqué, ended their relationship.
"We regret to confirm that we are separating," the pair said in a joint statement obtained by EW at the time. "We ask for privacy at this moment for the well-being of our children, who are our maximum priority. Thank you in advance for your understanding and respect." The couple have two sons: Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7.
Representatives for Shakira did not immediately respond to EW's requests for comment.
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