Singer Julio Iglesias has denied allegations of sexual assault made by two female former employees.
The women allege that the 82-year-old Spanish superstar normalised abuse in a coercive and threatening work environment while they were employed at his residences in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic.
Responding on Instagram, Iglesias stated: I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and deeply sadden me. The allegations, which emerged earlier this week, are currently being investigated by Spain's judiciary.
The two women—a domestic worker and a physiotherapist—claim they experienced sexual and other forms of abuse during their ten-month employment in 2021, which is when they allege the incidents occurred. They filed a legal complaint for sexual assault and human trafficking on January 5, with advocacy groups suggesting that the accusations might fall under crimes of human trafficking and violations of sexual freedom.
The women's testimonies suggest that they were subjected to harassment, constant monitoring, and forced to work excessively long hours without breaks. Advocates noted that these women were in vulnerable positions, reliant on their income due to socio-economic conditions.
In his statement, Iglesias expressed profound sadness regarding the accusations, emphasizing his commitment to defending his dignity. He appreciated the support from his fans.
Spanish news sources have reported that the allegations are substantiated by documentary evidence including photographs, text messages, and statements from other former employees describing a stressful work atmosphere. Despite this, some associates of Iglesias have described the allegations as lies.
Julio Iglesias remains one of the most successful Latin music artists, with over 300 million records sold throughout his extensive career. He is also the father of renowned singer Enrique Iglesias.
