Shakira could end up in jail as per the new reports coming out of Barcelona. A judge has opened an investigation into tax evasion against the Grammy-winning singer. The Colombian singer has been dominating headlines this month with rumors about her relationship with Formula 1 racer, Lewis Hamilton. With these new tax evasion reports and relationship rumors, the singer’s music career has taken a backseat from the limelight.
Shakira’s public relations team commented on the tax evasion case, “As has been stated on numerous occasions, Shakira defends having always acted in compliance with the law and under the guidance of the best tax experts.”
Shakira could face up to 8 years in prison if convicted of tax fraud https://t.co/Ug7q9bdpdq
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) July 20, 2023
This is the second time the singer has been prosecuted for tax evasion. Shakira is already awaiting trial for another tax evasion case for the period from 2012 to 2014. During that period, Shakira used to live in Barcelona with her husband Gerard Piqué. Since her divorce from the soccer superstar, the singer has moved to Miami and is now preparing to release a new album in September.
2023 has been a year full of controversies for Shakira. From the fallout of her split with her husband in 2022 to being romantically linked with celebrities such as Alejandro Sanz, Tom Cruise, and Jimmy Butler, Shakira has been in the news every other week.
Recently, rumors about Shakira and Lewis Hamilton were heating up, but any confirmation about the relationship ended when Hamilton instructed Mercedes not to let the singer into their camp at the British Grand Prix.
Shakira exposed in Pandora Papers for offshore assets
In 2021, leaked documents known as the Pandora Papers exposed Shakira’s involvement in the use of complex offshore accounting and tax avoidance schemes. Alongside 300+ world leaders, politicians, business figures, and entertainment stars, the singer’s name surfaced in the scandal.
Backed by over 600 journalists from various global media outlets, the Pandora Papers comprise around 12 million documents that unveil the practices of powerful individuals worldwide in utilizing tax havens for the purpose of tax evasion.
Elton John, Ringo Starr, and Shakira were named in the Pandora Papers, which detail the offshore financial dealings of global elites. https://t.co/nPAaDymvp0
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) October 4, 2021
According to Hollywood Reporter, the singer was exposed in the leak for setting up PO Box Companies. These companies are set up in tax havens like the British Virgin Islands, Panama, and the Bahamas. The full documents of the dealings weren’t available to the public to verify the claim by the reporters.
Furthermore, Shakira was also not accused of any wrongdoing or of violating any laws. There are legitimate reasons for opening and using offshore companies. However, being named in these papers has often had a negative impact on the personal brands of the celebrities involved.