Julio Iglesias Faces Sexual and Physical Assault Accusals from Former Employees

New Allegations Against Grammy-Winning Singer Julio Iglesias

A major development has emerged in the career of Grammy-winning Spanish singer Julio Iglesias, as he is now under investigation by prosecutors in Spain. The allegations involve claims of sexual and physical assault from two women who previously worked as live-in employees at his Caribbean mansions.

According to a joint investigation published by elDiario.es and Univision Noticias on Tuesday, January 13, two anonymous former employees have come forward with their accounts. One of them, a domestic worker, claims she was pressured into having sex with the singer and described instances of slapping, physical, and verbal abuse. The second woman, a physiotherapist, alleges that she was subjected to inappropriate touching, insults, and humiliation during her time working under his employment.

A formal complaint against Iglesias, 82, was filed at Spain’s highest criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, on January 5. The complaint accuses him of sexual assault and human trafficking. Multiple outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters, and The New York Times, have reported on the case. The allegations are currently under preliminary investigation by prosecutors at the court.

The testimony published by elDiario.es reveals that Iglesias’ former employees alleged they were required to undergo medical tests checking for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and chlamydia. They also claim to have faced sexual assault, workplace harassment, and verbal and physical abuse while working at his residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

Despite the serious nature of these accusations, a representative for Iglesias did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Entertainment Weekly. Additionally, entertainment lawyer Russell L. King, who lists Iglesias as a client on his website, did not provide a statement.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the nongovernmental group Women’s Link Worldwide announced it would be representing the two women, who shared statements under the pseudonyms Rebeca and Laura.

Rebeca stated, "I am doing this to get justice for three reasons. The first is for myself: for how difficult this process has been and for everything I have had to face in order to overcome it. The second is for the women who work in his homes: I want to tell them to be strong, to raise their voices, to remember that he is not invincible. And the third, for my country [the Dominican Republic]: so that something like this never happens again and so that he understands that he cannot come and do whatever he wants without facing the consequences."

Laura added, "My goal is to ensure that no woman ever suffers this kind of abuse from him again. I want to send the message that women are victims and survivors, not perpetrators or guilty parties.”

Iglesias, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, is widely regarded as the most commercially successful Spanish singer in the world. He has sold over 300 million records globally, won two Grammy Awards, and been inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is also the father of singers Enrique Iglesias and Julio Iglesias Jr.

Following the public allegations against Iglesias, Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun stated that the government will consider stripping Iglesias of his Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts, which he was awarded in 2010.

“It is something we are studying and evaluating," Urtasun said. "Because evidently we feel obliged to do so when faced by such a serious case.”