Spanish singer Julio Iglesias faces another complaint from two former employees who allege sexual abuse and forced labour, an advocacy group representing the women said Friday. The latest complaint comes months after Spanish prosecutors dismissed an earlier case involving similar allegations.
The women, identified as Rebeca and Laura, worked as a domestic employee and physiotherapist at Iglesias’s properties in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in 2021. They allege that they experienced sexual and other forms of abuse while working for the singer.
New Complaint Challenges Jurisdiction Decision
Women’s Link Worldwide said the women filed the new complaint on Thursday. The allegations include sexual harassment, sexual assault and forced and degrading working conditions.
Spanish prosecutors shelved the original complaint in January, arguing that Spanish courts lacked jurisdiction over alleged events that occurred in the Caribbean. Prosecutors said authorities in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas had jurisdiction to investigate the claims.
However, the advocacy group maintains that Spain can investigate the allegations. It has therefore urged Spanish authorities to reconsider their approach and examine the claims under applicable legal procedures.
Iglesias Rejects Allegations
Iglesias, 82, has strongly denied the accusations. The Grammy-winning singer described the allegations as “absolutely false” and said he had never abused, coerced or disrespected any woman.
The new complaint places renewed attention on the allegations against one of Spain’s most commercially successful singers. Iglesias has sold more than 300 million records during a career spanning several decades.
Meanwhile, the legal dispute continues to focus on whether Spanish authorities can investigate alleged conduct that occurred outside the country. The latest filing could now prompt renewed consideration of the jurisdiction issue and the claims made by the two former employees.
