Shakira hits back at Spanish authorities amid ongoing tax fraud case, says she’s victim of smear campaign

Shakira has claimed she’s the victim of a smear campaign amid an ongoing tax evasion scandal in Spain.

according to TMZThe singer, who was accused of failing to pay more than $14 million in taxes on income she earned from 2012 to 2014, told authorities she was not a resident of Spain during that time.

If you stay in Spain for more than 183 days in a year, you will have to pay taxes, but Shakira continues to insist otherwise.

The website states that she actually paid $10,141,075 in taxes to the U.S. government during that period while she was appearing as a coach on “The Voice.”

READ MORE: Shakira ordered to face trial for tax fraud in Spain

Prosecutors are seeking eight years in prison and a $24 million fine if she is convicted in an upcoming trial.

Shakira’s lawyer, Pablo Molins Amato, filed a statement of legal violations against her in a court in Barcelona on Friday. daily mail report.

“Shakira is a taxpayer who has always demonstrated impeccable tax behavior and has never experienced tax problems in other jurisdictions.

“She has never spent more than 183 days in Spain, which is required to be a tax resident.

“With no hard evidence to support the charges against her, she was violently persecuted in the criminal and media spheres using unacceptable methods to tarnish her reputation and force her to reach settlement agreements.

READ MORE: Shakira’s ex Gerard Pique announces retirement from football after split

“Shakira has already paid more than 90 million euros for international income and assets not generated in Spain. There was no business center.”

The hitmaker added in a personal message:

“On top of that, they’re trying to tarnish the reputation they’ve earned over the years.”

of Post Spain’s Ministry of Finance said it had requested personal data from the hospital where the singer had requested an appointment.

Shakira continued, “In my case, they violated my right to privacy and presumption of innocence, a fundamental civil right.”

Her rep said, “What actually happened was sporadic and led to accusations based on mere speculation.

“As an example, the accusation counts all payments made on a series of credit cards belonging to her team and friends made in Spain to total the number of days Shakira stayed in this country. Payments that are made simultaneously in different parts of the world without the artist being physically present where the payments are made.

“Shakira continues to ensure that her company complies with all tax obligations, not only in Spain, but in all countries where she has resided or performed during her long professional career.

“Finally, Shakira would like to express her absolute confidence in the independence of the Spanish judicial system and her steadfast belief that her full innocence will prevail after the trial.”