"Former Employees Allege Habitual Sexual Assault"... National Singer with 300 Million Albums Sold in Scandal

Spain's National Singer Julio Iglesias
Sexual Assault Allegations by Former Employees Spread
Local Media Releases Findings After Three-Year Investigation
Claims of Habitual Sexual Harassment During Employment
No Official Statement Yet from Iglesias

Julio Iglesias, Spain's "National Singer" and a global Latin pop star, aged 82, is under investigation by Spanish prosecutors over allegations of habitual sexual assault against former employees. On January 15, Yonhap News, citing international outlets including The New York Times, reported that Spanish prosecutors are investigating claims that Iglesias sexually harassed and assaulted employees he had hired.

Julio Iglesias, Spain's "National Singer" and a global Latin pop star. Photo by AP Yonhap News

On January 5, two of Iglesias's former employees filed a complaint with Spain's High Court, requesting that Iglesias be prosecuted. The complainants, originally from the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, reportedly stated that while working as a housekeeper and a physical therapist in 2021, they were forced by supervisors to have sexual relations with Iglesias.

On the same day, two Spanish local media outlets released the results of an investigative report into the sexual assault allegations against Iglesias, following about three years of coverage. According to the report, 15 victims who participated in the investigation testified that Iglesias selected employees based on appearance and that there was a persistent atmosphere of threat and sexual harassment, including inappropriate questions about their sexual preferences or bodies during the hiring process and while working.

The victims, who worked for Iglesias from the late 1990s to 2023, some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity, specifically claimed that they "were sexually abused almost every night." Elma Saiz, Spain's Minister for Labour and Social Economy, stated at a press conference following the public disclosure of the allegations, "There must be no place in society where wrongdoing goes unpunished," and emphasized, "The government will not turn a blind eye to these issues." As of now, Iglesias has not issued an official statement regarding the sexual assault allegations.

Julio Iglesias is a Grammy Award-winning artist who has sold over 300 million albums worldwide in both Spanish and English. Known for his sweet melodies and powerful voice, he has achieved great success in Spain, Latin America, and the United States, earning him the title "legend of Latin pop."