Shakira reaches deal with Spain to close $16 million tax fraud case
Colombian pop star Shakira on Monday reached a settlement with prosecutors to avoid a trial in Barcelona over charges she failed to pay $15.7 million in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014.
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00:00 Shakira has agreed to pay an $8.5 million fine in a deal with Spanish prosecutors to
00:04 avoid jail time.
00:06 The pop star reached a settlement to prevent a trial in Barcelona.
00:09 Over charges, she failed to pay the equivalent of $15.7 million in Spanish income tax between
00:14 2012 and 2014.
00:15 As part of the deal, Shakira accepted the charges and a fine of 50% of the amount owed.
00:20 She accepted another fine of $480,000 to avoid a three-year prison sentence.
00:25 Shakira also has a second tax fraud investigation pending with Spanish authorities and has previously
00:29 vowed to fight what she called "false accusations."
00:32 The prosecutor's office was seeking an up to eight-year prison term and to claim back
00:35 the taxes it says she owes.
00:37 Spanish authorities have pursued other major celebrities over tax evasion, including Messi
00:41 and Cristiano Ronaldo.