Shakira could face trial as judge accuses singer of defrauding €14.5 million

The judge investigating the case of Colombian pop star Shakira has recommended that the musician face trial, accusing her of defrauding some €14.5 million. 

The magistrate in Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona, believes the singer, a resident of Catalonia, may have committed six fiscal crimes surrounding her personal income tax and wealth taxes between 2012 and 2014.

Prosecutors and the tax agency consider that Shakira devised a network of companies in tax havens around the world to evade taxes, while also spending more than half of the year in Spain as the partner of Barça footballer Gerard Piqué. 

The defense alleges that Shakira did not reside in Spain, but abroad. 

According to the judge, Shakira did not pay taxes in Spain in 2012, 2013, and 2014, and she would have spent more than half of the days of each year in Spanish territory. 

The singer's lawyer and tax advisor, EAC, allegedly "collaborated in the maintenance of the corporate fabric erected to evade the payment of taxes in Spain." 

In May 2019, Shakira paid the tax agency €17.3 million and denied any wrongdoing.