MADRID, Jan 13 (Reuters) – Spain’s High Court prosecutors said on Tuesday they were investigating allegations in Spanish and U.S. media that singer Julio Iglesias sexually assaulted two former employees.

There was no immediate response to emails seeking comment, sent by Reuters to representatives of Iglesias, 82.

The star’s record label, Sony, declined to comment.

The women, who are said to have worked at Iglesias’ Caribbean residences in the Dominican Republic and Bahamas over a 10-month period in 2021, were named in a three-year investigation by US broadcaster Univision and Spanish outlet elDiario.es published on Tuesday.

Julio Iglesias performing in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 2008.
Julio Iglesias performing in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 2008.

Anadolu via Getty Images

Both women reported suffering sexual assault and workplace harassment while working for the singer, media reported.

Reports said Iglesias pressured them into sexual encounters and subjected them to additional physical and verbal abuse.

The prosecution said it had opened preliminary proceedings after a complaint was filed on January 5. The details of the case were covered by secrecy rules that prevented him from providing more information.

Iglesias is one of the best-selling Latin artists in the world, with more than 300 million albums sold in 14 languages. A former aspiring football player, he turned to music after a car accident in 1963 ended his sporting career.

The accusations sparked a vociferous reaction in Spain, where he is considered a national treasure.

Ana Redondo, the Socialist government’s Equality Minister, said in a statement that she respected Iglesias’ presumption of innocence but believed in the women’s testimony.

“He’s a great singer, but people can have a dark side,” she said, praising women for coming forward with their complaints.

The left-wing Más Madrid party suggested that the right-wing government of the Community of Madrid should strip Iglesias of the keys to the city that were awarded to him as the capital’s most famous son. Iglesias has endorsed conservative political candidates in the past.

The regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, responded furiously to X, saying: “The Community of Madrid will never contribute to attacks on the prestige of artists, and even less so on the most universal singer of all: Julio Iglesias.”