Spanish court dismisses second tax case against singer Shakira

[May 09, 2024]  MADRID (Reuters) - A Spanish court on Thursday dismissed a tax investigation against Colombian pop star Shakira, after the offices of the prosecutor and state attorney opted not to bring charges against the singer. 

Shakira, who last year reached a settlement to avoid a trial in Barcelona over charges she failed to pay 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014, had a second investigation pending for alleged fraud on income and wealth tax in 2018.

Shakira poses at the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with this year's theme 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion' in New York City, New York, U.S., May 6, 2024. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

The court in the northeastern town of Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona, said there was no evidence to prove a complaint raised by a prosecutor that Shakira "consciously and voluntarily omitted information and documentation" in preparing her personal income tax and income returns in 2018.

The "Hips Don't Lie" singer, who has sold millions of records worldwide, lived with former Barcelona and Spain soccer star Gerard Pique for 11 years and the couple have two children. The singer, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, moved to Miami after their separation.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo, editing by Aislinn Laing; Editing by Sharon Singleton)

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