Spain, June 3, 2016 – Soccer Superstar, Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi have been dragged to court for allegedly defrauding the Spanish government of taxes to the tune of $4.6 million.
If found guilty, Lionel Messi and his father could face jail term of 22 months.
Lionel Messi and his father are facing charges on alleged tax fraud between 2007 and 2009. Prosecutors are saying that Messi and his father, have connived to reduce the player’s tax obligation to the Spanish government through shell companies set up overseas.
In June 2014, a Spanish state prosecutor asked the judge to drop the tax fraud charges against only Lionel Messi . Later that year, a judge ruled that the case against both would proceed, despite the state prosecutor’s request.
Messi, 28, earns an annual salary from his club, Barcelona FC of over $20 million besides income from endorsements.
When the trial opened on Tuesday, Lionel Messi who is down with injuries was absent.
Prosecutors filed charges against Lionel Messi in 2013 with the superstar denying culpability only for his father to $6.75 million in back taxes and interest few months later.
“We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations, following the advice of our tax consultants, who will take care of clarifying this situation,” Lionel Messi said on Facebook.
