Julio Iglesias denies sexual abuse claims of two former female employees | Spain
Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has broken his silence over allegations that he sexually harassed two women working at his Caribbean mansions, saying he has never “harassed, coerced or disrespected any woman.”
The 82-year-old artist, whose career has spanned six decades, was accused by two former female employees who claimed they were sexually assaulted and “subjected to inappropriate touching, insults and humiliation in an atmosphere of control and constant harassment.”
The alleged attacks, which are said to have occurred in 2021, came to light on Tuesday following a three-year joint investigation by Spanish news website elDiario.es and Spanish-language television network Univision Noticias.
“It is with great sadness that I am responding to allegations made by two people who work in my home,” Iglesias said in an Instagram post early Friday morning. “I have never harassed, pressured or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and hurt me deeply.”
The singer said she would “defend my honor against this serious insult” and thanked “so many dear people for their messages of love and support.”
Two women, a domestic worker and a physiotherapist known under the pseudonyms Rebeca and Laura, filed a complaint with Spain’s highest criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, accusing Iglesias of sexual assault and human trafficking. The allegations are the subject of a preliminary investigation by prosecutors in court.
Rebeca claimed that Iglesias, who was 77 at the time, often called her to his room at the end of the workday. He claimed he would then penetrate her anally and vaginally with his fingers without her consent. “He used me almost every night,” she said. “I felt like an object, a slave.”
Laura claimed to elDiario.es and Univision Noticias that Iglesias kissed her on the mouth and touched her breasts without her permission and against her will. “We were at the beach and he came up to me and touched my nipples,” said the singer, adding that a similar incident took place by the pool at the singer’s villa in Punta Cana, a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic.
On Wednesday elDiario.es published the statements of Rebeca and another former worker, Carolina. the need for medical testing To control sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and chlamydia.
The women said they were then asked to send the results to one of Iglesias’ maids. ElDiario.es also obtained medical documents showing that five women working at Iglesias’ villa in the Dominican Republic underwent gynecological examinations in 2021.
Laura said in an interview with elDiario.es that she and Rebeca decided to file a complaint against Iglesias to encourage other women to come forward. “I think by taking legal action we are sending a message to all the victims of this person (Julio Iglesias) so that they can raise their voices and believe in justice,” he said. “So they can understand that this isn’t just something that happens to them.”
