"Yeah". With this brief monosyllable, Shakira recognized the tax fraud and reached an agreement not to avoid the trial in which she could have faced up to eight years in prison. The Colombian thus ratified the agreement in accordance with the accusations, accepting a sentence of three years in prison that will be replaced by the payment of a fine of 7.3 million euros to repair the damage caused.
An agreement that the singer reached "for her children," as explained in a statement issued later by her legal representatives, Pau Molins and Miriam Company, who have been with her at all times. In addition, to suspend her admission to prison she will pay 432,000 euros.
As she explains in the long text shared by her lawyers, the artist feels the need to prioritize her career, her stability and the well-being of her children. Therefore, she would have decided to leave this whole matter aside.
"I felt ready to face a trial and defend my innocence. My lawyers were convinced that we had a winning trial. However, after many years of fighting, I have made this decision," explains the singer, who assures that she reached a point where he felt at a crossroads.
"I had two options: continue fighting until the end, mortgaging my peace of mind and that of my children, stop making songs, albums and tours, without being able to enjoy my career and the things I like; or make an agreement, close and leave this behind chapter of my life looking forward," he acknowledges. After much reflection, he came to a conclusion: "It is not a triumph to win if the price is having so many years of your life stolen."
A reflection that leads her to make a pact and reach an agreement, since she sees no point in winning a fight if she is going to "lose everything along the way."
The singer continues her reflection by ensuring that it is about choosing her battles and, for her, at this moment, "it is doing everything so that my children live a full life and focusing on what is really important: seeing them grow and spending time with them "; without subjecting them to any unnecessary pressure.
"They themselves have asked me, and for them I have made this decision. They have lived through very hard times and I want them to finally see me happy and look towards the future together," he insists.
Despite having put aside her fight, the Colombian artist assures that she will continue as an "ally" with the rest of the citizens in pursuit of the tax system being reviewed once and for all. "There are many people who do not have the resources to pay for a good defense or even reach an agreement and have seen their lives erode before their eyes due to discrepancies with the Treasury that could have been resolved in an area outside of the prison," she explains.
From now on, the artist will continue her fight against the Tax Agency in the administrative case for the 2011 fiscal year, a route with less wear and exposure than the criminal one. A "senseless" case, according to her lawyers, and by which the artist does not intend to allow herself to be consumed, since she does not intend to neglect her career as she has done until now; and she promises to return to the music scene with more enthusiasm than ever.
