Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo Fined for Tax Fraud, Avoids Jail Term

Cristiano Ronaldo, a former forward for Real Madrid who recently transferred to Juventus, will avoid serving a 23-month prison sentence for tax fraud.  He accepted a suspended sentence but he was also fined €18.8 million ($21.6 million) to settle the case. 

Ronaldo requested for a special security measures to avoid the hassle of the press and the public but was denied. He was required to enter the court room through the main entrance for his appearance, which only lasted 15 minutes because it consisted of merely signing previously agreed upon settlement.

Ronaldo denied an accusation in 2017 that he knowingly used a business structure to hide income generated by his image rights in Spain between 2011 and 2014. He testified at the initial trial, saying he had performed no wrongdoing. He also told the judge he felt victimized by the Spanish authorities, which partially prompted the trade to Juventus.

Ronaldo earns an estimated $93m (€80m) a year, according to Forbes, with approximately half coming from image-rights deals with his many sponsors.

See Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo Fined for Tax Fraud, Avoids Jail Term, ESPN, January 22, 2019.

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Florida Probate Attorney) for bringing this article to my attention.