Shakira is one of several celebrities among a list that includes world leaders who were implicated this weekend in what is being called “the largest trove of leaked offshore data in history.”
The documents, known as the Pandora Papers, suggest that Shakira and other high-profile individuals, including musicians Elton John and Ringo Starr, as well as model Claudia Schiffer, allegedly set up offshore accounts to hide money to avoid paying taxes. The private financial records, which include nearly 12 million files, were leaked to 600 journalists around the world, including reporters at The Washington Post and The Guardian.
Others named in the bombshell reporting include King Abdullah II of Jordan; Andrej Babis, the prime minister of the Czech Republic; and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
It is important to note that no one listed in the Pandora Papers has been accused of breaking any laws.
Shakira’s attorney has denied wrongdoing and claim that her offshore companies do not provide preferable tax treatment for her. The Pandora Papers allege that Shakira has placed assets in offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands. Shakira recently won a tax fraud case against her in Spain over allegations that she failed to pay nearly $17 million in taxes on income she earned between 2012 and 2014.
The Pandora Papers are the biggest leak of private financial records since the 2016 leak known as the Panama Papers.
Twitter users took the opportunity to comment on the latest news about the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer.
Others wanted to make sure that even if the allegations are true, Shakira shouldn’t be lumped in with some of the other names listed who may have used offshore accounts for more devious deeds.
Shakira hasn’t posted a statement besides denying the accusations through her attorney, but she did share photos of her pets this morning for World Animal Day.
No better way to tune out the noise than with adorable photos of small animals.