Shakira facing 2nd tax evasion investigation in Spain
Shakira is facing a second tax evasion case in Spain.
The "Hips Don't Lie" singer, 46, is being accused of defrauding the Spanish government of $7.1 million, or 6.7 million euros, in 2018, the Barcelona Prosecutor's office told ABC News in a statement.
The investigation, opened in July, alleges that Shakira failed to claim profits from an advance payment for her El Dorado World Tour and instead kept the money in offshore companies in tax havens, authorities claim.
Shakira's representatives told ABC News in a statement that "no notification has been received in Miami," where the Grammy winner currently resides, regarding "the lawsuit in relation to the 2018 fiscal year."
This new investigation is separate from the one alleging Shakira failed to pay millions in taxes between 2012 and 2014 in Spain.
The Colombian singer's representatives said her legal team is "focused on preparing for the trial regarding the 2012-2014 financial years," which is set to begin Nov. 20.
"Shakira has indicated that with regard to the earlier case, she has paid the Spanish authorities all of the money that they claim is due," Dennis Brager, a tax litigation attorney not involved in Shakira's case, told "Good Morning America." "Yet the Spanish authorities are continuing to pursue the criminal case. Just writing a check doesn't necessarily make criminal tax problems go away."
"These are two completely separate crimes that she's been alleged to [have committed]," Brager added. "The fact that she is going to court means it's going to be a big fight."
