Shakira’s Attorney Claims She Could Have Saved £100 Million If She Had Chosen Sergio Ramos Over Gerard Pique in Tax Matter
Singer Shakira’s legal representative has attributed her tax issues to her former spouse, Gerard Pique, suggesting that she could have saved £100 million if she had been romantically involved with Pique’s football rival, Sergio Ramos.
Pau Molins, the lawyer, stated that Shakira’s 11-year relationship with the retired Barcelona footballer resulted in her facing six tax fraud charges instead of three.
After reaching a plea agreement on Monday, November 20, the lawyer criticized Spain’s tax laws, emphasizing that Madrid residents, where Ramos played for Real Madrid, are exempt from wealth tax, unlike those living in Catalonia, where Shakira resided with Barcelona’s Pique.
Mr. Molins commented, “Shakira’s infatuation has cost her 120 million euros. If she had fallen in love with Sergio Ramos instead of Gerard Pique, it would have cost her a lot less. They go on about the equality of all Spaniards, but it turns out that if you’re resident in Catalonia you can go to jail for a crime they couldn’t imprison you for in Madrid, even if you’re doing the same thing, because there is no wealth tax.”
Mr. Pau also expressed his desire to go to trial, stating, “I thought we could have won,” but revealed that Shakira chose to make a deal.
He further defended his client, arguing, “With international artists, it’s very difficult. Where do they live if they spend all their lives traveling? In 2011, Shakira did a world tour and visited 74 countries. It’s very complicated to determine where they should pay their taxes.”
Shakira admitted to six counts of tax fraud in a Barcelona court and agreed to pay £7 million to avoid imprisonment. She cited her sons’ well-being and her career’s continuity as reasons for accepting the charges.
In a statement released through her representatives, Shakira acknowledged her lawyers’ confidence in winning the case but ultimately decided to avoid a protracted trial for the sake of her children and career.
The prosecution case revolved around Shakira’s residency status between 2012 and 2014, during which she was dating Gerard Pique but claims she was not initially living with him in Barcelona and was not a resident for tax purposes.
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