Shakira facing lawsuit from ex-boyfriend

WASIM KARIM

KARACHI: Colombian pop star Shakira is facing a lawsuit of $100 million (£62.4m) from her ex-boyfriend and manager Antonio de la Rua over allegations their business went bad after their relationship came to an end.

After more than 10 years as a couple, Shakira ended her relationship with Antonio de la Rua in 2010. But in a public statement they promised to remain friends and continue as business partners.

However, that friendship now appears to be disappearing as de la Rua has filed a lawsuit in New York claiming that his ex-girlfriend broke a promise to pay him a share of her business profits.

According to the media, de la Rua has filed legal documents at the Manhattan Supreme Court in New York City, arguing that Shakira asked him to take over her business and he helped Shakira strike a number of profitable deals, including a $300m contract with Live Nation.

De la Rua, son of former Argentine president Fernando de la Rua, claims their business partnership continued for a year after their romantic relationship broke down, but he was fired in 2011, according to the New York Post.

On the other side, Shakira is suing de la Rua for misappropriation of funds. Her legal case, filed in the Bahamas in October, accuses him of paying himself an unauthorized bonus and using funds from their business partnership to pay personal expenses, reported the Western media.

However, Shakira is now reportedly dating Spanish soccer star Gerard Pique and the couple recently announced they are expecting a baby together.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2012