Spanish prosecutors have formally dropped a sexual assault investigation against iconic singer Julio Iglesias, citing jurisdictional limitations as the primary reason for terminating the case. The decision comes after the 82-year-old Grammy winner vehemently denied all allegations, describing them as "absolutely false" in a public statement.
Serious Allegations from Former Live-in Employees
Earlier this month, Spanish authorities initiated a probe following detailed accusations from two women who previously worked as live-in employees at Iglesias's luxury residences. The women, identified by the aliases Laura and Rebeca, were employed at the singer's properties in the Dominican Republic resort of Punta Cana and the exclusive Lyford Cay community in the Bahamas.
According to their accounts shared through Spanish news outlet elDiario and their legal representatives at Women's Link Worldwide, the alleged incidents occurred in 2021 when Iglesias was 77 years old. The women presented a formal complaint to Spanish courts, accusing the father of famous singer Enrique Iglesias of multiple serious offences.
Detailed Claims of Exploitation and Abuse
The allegations encompassed several disturbing dimensions of alleged mistreatment. Both women claimed they were subjected to invasive employment practices from the outset, including being asked to provide full-body photographs during the hiring process and facing inappropriate personal questions about their sexual preferences.
Rebeca, who worked as a cleaner, described a pattern of alleged abuse that included forceful penetration, physical assaults, and being pressured into sexual situations with female supervisors after being given alcohol. She claimed Iglesias would slap her face "really hard, with a lot of force, horribly" and made similar allegations about treatment of other household staff.
Laura described an initially accommodating employer who allegedly became increasingly controlling and humiliating. She claimed Iglesias forcefully kissed her within weeks of her employment and demanded she show him her breasts. Both women portrayed a household environment characterized by constant tension and control exercised "through fear."
Working Conditions and Legal Framework
Beyond the sexual assault allegations, the women claimed they endured exploitative working conditions. They alleged they were required to work up to 16 hours daily without formal contracts, regular days off, or freedom to leave the property. Their phones were reportedly monitored regularly, and Rebeca claimed she was told she could not have a boyfriend while employed by Iglesias.
Women's Link Worldwide, the NGO representing the women, described them as young Latin American women in "vulnerable situations" who were heavily dependent on their wages due to difficult economic circumstances. The organization explained they pursued the case in Spain specifically because of the country's legislation protecting women against trafficking and gender-based violence, believing Spanish courts had "clear and effective competence" to investigate.
Jurisdictional Decision and Singer's Response
Despite the detailed allegations, Spanish prosecutors concluded their National Court lacks proper jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter. The decision effectively terminates the legal proceedings in Spain, though the allegations themselves remain unresolved through this particular judicial avenue.
Iglesias responded to the allegations via social media before the case was dropped, stating unequivocally: "These accusations are absolutely false and cause me great sadness." He denied ever having "abused, coerced or disrespected any woman" throughout his lengthy career and life.
Background of a Music Legend
The allegations emerge against the backdrop of Iglesias's extraordinary musical career spanning more than five decades. Since his 1969 debut album "Yo Canto," the Spanish singer has sold over 300 million records worldwide in more than a dozen languages, establishing himself as one of the most successful recording artists in history.
After achieving initial fame in Spain, Iglesias gained immense international popularity during the 1970s and 1980s, partly through celebrated duets with American artists including Willie Nelson and Diana Ross. His accolades include a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and a 1988 Grammy for Best Latin Pop Performance for his album "Un Hombre Solo."
The dismissal of the case on jurisdictional grounds leaves the serious allegations unresolved in Spanish courts, though the detailed accounts from the two women have drawn significant attention to issues of employment practices and accountability for international celebrities with households spanning multiple jurisdictions.
