Julio Iglesias Faces Legal Battles on Multiple Fronts Following Sexual Assault Allegations
Madrid, Spain – Spanish singer Julio Iglesias is embroiled in a series of legal disputes following allegations of sexual assault and human trafficking made by former employees. The singer has launched legal action against Spanish news outlet elDiario.es and, separately, is facing a lawsuit filed by Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz over her comments regarding the accusations.
The legal action against elDiario.es, initiated Monday, centers on the publication of testimonies from two women who reported Iglesias to the National Audience Court for alleged sexual aggression, human trafficking, and abusive labor practices. Iglesias’s lawyer alleges the news organization “fabricated” the complaint and caused significant damage to the singer’s reputation, citing offenses of slander and libel.
elDiario.es maintains it did not fabricate the complaint, which was initially filed on January 5th, detailing incidents allegedly occurring in 2021. The complaint alleges “human trafficking for the purpose of forced labor and servitude” alongside accusations of sexual harassment and assault, as well as labor violations. While the Spanish prosecutor’s office ultimately archived the case, citing a lack of jurisdiction over incidents occurring abroad, legal experts have debated the decision, with some arguing Spanish courts do have the authority to investigate.
The news outlet reported a three-year investigation conducted in collaboration with Univision Noticias, involving interviews with the women, secondary sources, and documentary evidence, including gynecological exams conducted on domestic staff in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – a practice illegal in the country. Fifteen former employees were also contacted during the investigation.
Iglesias, through a statement released after the initial reports, denied the accusations, calling them “absolutely false.”
The legal battles extend beyond the media outlet. Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz faced a separate legal challenge from Iglesias over her public comments regarding the allegations.
The case has sparked public debate in Spain, raising questions about the treatment of domestic workers and the challenges of prosecuting sexual assault allegations that occur internationally. The accusations against Iglesias underscore the growing global conversation surrounding workplace abuse and the power dynamics between employers and employees.