Shakira's $15 million tax fraud scandal: Trial avoided!

Colombian pop star Shakira reached a settlement on Monday to avoid a trial in Barcelona over charges of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014, Reuters reported. 

Shakira argued that the situation was triggered by personal reasons.

As part of the agreement, Shakira acknowledged the charges and agreed to pay a fine of half the owed amount, which totals more than 7.3 million euros.

Additionally, to avoid a three-year prison sentence,

she accepted another fine of 438,000 euros. This information was disclosed by the judge during the trial's first hearing.

In a statement released by her Spanish communication agency, Shakira explained that her decision to reach a deal was motivated by personal, emotional, and sentimental reasons unrelated to legal matters. She expressed her readiness to defend her innocence but prioritized her career and children.

Shakira stated, "I have realized that winning is not a victory if the price is sacrificing so many years of your life."

During the trial's commencement, Judge Jose Manuel del Amo Sanchez asked Shakira, "Do you recognize the facts and accept the new penalties that have been requested?" Shakira softly responded, wearing a pink suit that matched her pink handbag, saying, "Yes."

She arrived just minutes before the trial began, accompanied by her lawyers, amidst a media frenzy and the support of some fans outside the court.

In a separate event, Shakira won two Latin Grammy awards in Seville on Thursday night.