Colombian singer Shakira could be sentenced to prison for up to eight years for tax fraud, according to a report.
On Friday, Reuters reported that a Spanish prosecutor called for the prison term over $14.7 million in tax fraud, citing a document from the prosecutor’s office.
The outlet noted Shakira is accused of failing to pay taxes between 2012 and 2014.
She claims she did not live in Spain during that time period.
Reuters explained the document “asserts that Shakira was ordinarily resident in Spain between 2012 and 2014 and in May 2012 bought a house in Barcelona which became a family home for herself, her partner and their son born in Spain in 2013.”
In addition to the eight-year prison sentence, if Shakira is found guilty, the prosecutor is asking that the singer be fined more than $23.5 million.
Earlier this week, The Washington Post reported that Shakira rejected a settlement offer.
The PR firm Llorente y Cuenca said in a statement that Shakira “trusts her innocence and chooses to leave the issue in the hands of the law.”
According to the firm, Shakira deposited the amount she allegedly owes the Spanish Tax Agency and has no tax debts currently pending, as the Post reported.
The announcement comes less than two months after Shakira announced her split from her longtime-partner Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué.
“We regret to confirm that we are separating,” the pair said in a statement.
They continued, “For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding.”
