Shakira: The Spanish government has come under fire from Shakira's legal team as the singer gets ready for a legal

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battle over tax fraud claims. The Hips Don't Lie singer, 45, has been charged with failing to pay taxes in Spain

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between 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors demanded on Friday that Shakira, who was born in Colombia, be given an

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eight-year prison sentence and a large fine. Authorities in Spain claim that Shakira owes outstanding taxes of 14.5

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million euros, or roughly $14.7 million. The celebrity has argued that at that time, she had legal residency

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in the Bahamas, which has no income tax. Shakira, though, reportedly turned down a plea agreement and

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would instead seek for a full acquittal, according to a spokeswoman for the singer. According to the representation,

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Shakira "has always complied and abided by the law, exhibiting excellent behaviour as an individual and a

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taxpayer, and dutifully followed the guidance of PriceWaterhouse Coopers, a reputable and internationally

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renowned tax firm." "Unfortunately, the Spanish Tax Office continues to violate her rights and pursue

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yet another pointless action despite losing one out of every two disputes with its taxpayers.

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