Shakira's Day In Court For Alleged Tax Fraud & Evasion SET!
By MLC on May 4, 2023 at 5:00 AM EDT
Shakira's long-awaited day in court with the Spanish government is reportedly fast approaching.
The Spanish government is suing the singer on tax fraud and evasion allegations.
Shakira insists she's innocent, but the government believes she evaded taxes from 2012 to 2014, with a bill totaling upwards of $14 million.
Shakira's Trial Date Against Spanish Government SET For Near Future!
According to Marca, legal sources recently reported that a court in the city of Barcelona had set November 20th as the date for the trial.
The courthouse has scheduled 12 sessions with around 200 witnesses in November and December.
The Spanish government asks Shakira to be sentenced to eight years and two months in prison IF she is found guilty.
But, the trial could be shortened if Shakira reaches a last-minute agreement with the Public Prosecutor's and State Attorney's offices. She could accept a reduced sentence in exchange for acknowledging the fraud.
Once again, Shakira and her legal team wholly deny any wrongdoing.
Shakira Denies Any Wrongdoing & Maintains Her Innocence!
The large number of witnesses is the main reason why there have been 12 sessions scheduled. It's reported that the State Attorney's Office proposed 100 witnesses, 30 by the Prosecutor's Office and 60 by the defense.
A judge has requested Shakira be present in court only on the day she is scheduled to testify and on the last day of the trial.
Over 100 Witnesses Have Been Called To Testify!
She recently moved away from Barcelona, Spain, and relocated to Miami, Florida, with her two young children.
Last year, Shakira's team issued a message about the impending trial and her innocence.
"Shakira and her team consider that this case constitutes a total violation of her rights," the statement reads. "Since she has always shown impeccable behavior, as a person and taxpayer, and total willingness to resolve any disagreement from the beginning, even before the criminal proceeding."
CNN obtained a ruling in which the investigating magistrate said there is "sufficient evidence" to hold a trial for the singer's alleged tax evasion for 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Per reports, Judge Marco Jesús claims Shakira lived in Spain for more than 200 days each of those three years, making her liable to pay taxes there.
Furthermore, Judge Jesús also named her financial advisor in the ruling. They said the two corroborated by using a series of companies in off-shore tax havens to hide her income sources during those three years.
Her attorneys claim she lived in the Bahamas most of the time from 2012 to 2014.
The Blast reported on the mother-of-two's TBD prison sentence.
The "Waka Waka" singer could face up to 2,920 days or eight years behind bars if found guilty.
Prosecutors also want to hit her with a hefty fine of $23.5 million, according to Spanish news outlet El País.
Shakira's tax fraud case will be handled by a court near Barcelona, where she spent over a decade with her ex-partner, Gerard Piqué.
