According to reports, Shakira accuses the Spanish prosecutors who charged her with tax fraud of waging a “smear campaign” against her.
The Grammy winner, 45, claimed the authorities “violated her right to privacy” by addressing matters so publicly and without the assumption of innocence, according to documents acquired by TMZ on Friday.
According to reports, Shakira’s legal team further detailed the reasons why she is not liable for the tax bill, arguing that she was not a resident of Spain throughout the relevant time period.
According to Spanish legislation, the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer only has to pay taxes if she stays 183 days or more in the European country in one single year.
A Spanish judge ordered Shakira to stand trial in September for allegedly neglecting to pay $13.9 million in taxes on earnings between 2012 and 2014.
The “Voice” coach could face up to eight years in prison and a hefty $24 million punishment if proven guilty.
According to TMZ, Shakira claims that she was a full-time resident of Spain from 2012 to 2014 and instead paid the U.S. government $10,141,075 in taxes.
Prosecutors claim, however, that the “Voice” judge registered herself a tax resident of Spain in 2015 after relocating there with her now-former partner, Gerard Piqué, and their two sons, Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7.
After more than a decade together, the Colombian-born singer and the Spanish soccer player, both 35, announced their breakup in June.
“We regret to confirm that we are parting,” Shakira’s public relations firm said in a statement.
“Our primary focus is the safety of our children, so we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your patience.”
The “Whenever, Wherever” singer apparently has plans to relocate to Miami with her two children following the breakup.
»Report: Shakira calls the Spanish tax fraud lawsuit a “smear campaign.”«