Shakira has reached an agreement with Spanish prosecutors in the tax fraud case that alleged that she failed to pay €14.5 million, or around $15.8 million, in income taxes between 2012 and 2014.
The trial was scheduled to begin in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday but concluded with the musician receiving a three-year suspended sentence and a fine of €7 million.
“Throughout my career, I have always strived to do what’s right and set a positive example for others. That often means taking the extra step in business and personal financial decisions to procure the absolute best counsel,” Shakira wrote in a statement.
“Unfortunately, and despite these efforts, tax authorities in Spain pursued a case against me as they have against many professional athletes and other high-profile individuals, draining those people’s energy, time, and tranquility for years at a time.”
Prosecutors charged the singer with six counts of tax fraud and were seeking an eight-year prison sentence and a fine of more than €23 million.
Spanish tax law stipulates that anyone living in the country for more than six months is considered a resident and must pay taxes.
Shakira previously maintained that she was not living in Spain full-time during the time specified by prosecutors, stating that she “didn’t spend 183 days per year” in the country because she “was busy fulfilling my professional commitments around the world.”