Miami, FL
Shakira facing new tax investigation in Spain shortly after Miami move
Shakira is facing a fresh tax probe in Spain after officials launched an investigation into a second case of alleged tax fraud by the singer.
With a trial date set for an existing tax fraud case over alleged missed tax payments between 2012 and 2014, the “Hips Don’t Lie” hitmaker, 46, is facing yet another blow after officials confirmed Thursday that an investigation will be launched into two possible cases of tax fraud from 2018.
The probe will be conducted by a judge at a court in the Esplugues de Llobregat region of Spain, near Barcelona, and is the same court that launched her initial investigation which is going to trial.
The “Whenever, Wherever” singer, who relocated to Miami with her two sons earlier this year, will have to return to Barcelona in November to stand trial.
Her dramatic move across the pond comes after she split from her former partner and soccer star Gerard Piqué.
“Court of Instruction Number 2 in Esplugues de Llobregat has opened a procedure following a complaint presented by prosecutors against the singer Shakira for two suspected tax crimes corresponding to her 2018 tax returns,” a spokesperson for Catalonia’s High Court of Justice said in a statement.
The Colombian pop star has been in the throes of a legal battle for allegedly failing to pay $14.7 million in taxes when she lived in Spain between 2012 and 2014, a time she claims she did not live in the country.
Shakira — real name Shakira Mebarak — said she’s endured the “darkest hours” of her life as the Spanish government threatens her with up to eight years in prison if she’s found guilty of stiffing the country of millions of dollars in taxes.
Prosecutors insist Shakira did live in the country during that time and said she bought a home in Barcelona in May 2012. They said she lived there with Piqué and their first-born son, who was born in Spain in 2013.
At the time, Shakira’s official residence was in the Bahamas but prosecutors claim she spent most of her time in Spain.
If found guilty in November’s trial, Shakira may be fined $23.5 million in addition to jail time.
She previously said that “Spanish tax authorities do this often” to celebrities and “unjustly to the regular taxpayer.”
The singer, who’s sold more than 80 million records worldwide, has repeatedly maintained her innocence and said she previously paid a $17.5 million debt to the Spanish tax office and doesn’t owe them anything else.
The Post has reached out to Shakira’s reps for comment.
Miami, FL
Women's Basketball: Miami blows out Nevada in Maui, 84-53
MAUI, Hawaii – Haley Cavinder recorded her second consecutive double-double with a 25-point, 12-rebound performance, and the University of Miami women’s basketball team shot an exceptional 60.0 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from behind the arc en route to a dominant 84-53 victory over Nevada (5-7) to open the Maui Classic. With the victory, the Hurricanes (10-1, 1-0) improved to 10-1.
Haley Cavinder was sensational yet again for Miami, as she dropped a game-high 25 points on 11-16 shooting from the field, including 2-4 from behind the arc, and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and dished out a game-high seven assists.
Cameron Williams poured in 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, Natalija Marshall chipped in 12 points, and Darrione Rogers scored 11 points as four Miami players reached double figures in the contest.
Miami was tremendous on both ends of the court, as they recorded season-high clips of 60.0 percent shooting from the field (33-55) and 47.1 percent from behind the arc (8-17) while limiting Nevada to just 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 28.0 percent from behind the arc. The Canes dominated the glass, outrebounding Nevada 33-21, and Miami outscored Nevada in the paint, 44-24.
The Canes also had a season-low seven turnovers, as they cared for the basketball exceptionally. After falling behind 13-11 late in the first quarter, Miami reeled off a 4-0 run to end the stanza, as they held a 15-13 lead entering the second period. The Canes opened the second quarter of an 8-0 run, extending the lead up to 10 points at the 6:54 mark in the period. Miami continued their dominant play, leading 39-26 at halftime.
The Canes were sensational in the third quarter, as they shot 66.7 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from behind the arc, outscoring Nevada 24-12 to take a 63-38 lead into the final period.
Miami cruised over the last 10 minutes, earning the 31-point victory over Nevada to open the Maui Classic. The Canes will return to the court Friday evening, as they are set to face Oregon State at 11 p.m.
Courtesy of Miami Athletics
Miami, FL
Miami Heat Veteran Emphatically Endorses Teammate for All-Star Game
Any basketball fan can make the case Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro deserves All-Star honors.
We wish them luck in creating a better endorsement than Terry Rozier.
The Miami Heat social media team released a snippet of a video Thursday evening asking players to make a case for one teammate to make the All-Star Game. The brief clip featured Rozier pounding his fist and replying, “That’s easy.”
“Cold-ass white boy,” Rozier said, briefly going off camera before returning. “Tyler Herro.”
You can feel however you want about Rozier, especially after his struggles earlier this season. We feel two things are nonetheless true.
First off, the endorsement itself is awesome. The NBA All-Star Game (and all-star games in general) may not have the same relevancy, excitement, or format of decades ago, but it’s always nice to see players creatively stump for their teammates.
Rozier certainly went the extra length to ensure voters know to support Herro.
More importantly, Herro is well on pace to earn his first All-Star selection. He averages 24.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
Herro’s 47.6 shooting percentage is easily a career-high, and he’s played in all 24 games. It’s not hard to imagine where the Heat would be without Herro’s stellar performances at point guard.
NBA All-Star Game voting runs through Jan. 20. If you’re on the fence about voting for Herro, just keep Rozier in mind.
MORE HEAT NEWS
NBA Analyst Questions Miami Heat Star Jimmy Butler’s Possible Trade Destinations
Heat’s Jimmy Butler Faces ‘Nonexistent’ Free Agent Market, Predicts NBA Insider
Jake Elman works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat on SI. He can be reached at jakeelman97@gmail.com or follow him on X @JakeElman97.
Miami, FL
Police chase of carjacker ends in Miami Gardens strip mall parking lot
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