Julio Iglesias denies sexual assault allegations

2 hours agoSteven McIntoshEntertainment reporterSinger Julio Iglesias has denied allegations of sexual assault made by two female former employees.The women allege that the 82-year-old Spanish superstar "normalised abuse" in a coercive, threatening and violent environment while they were working at his properties in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic.Responding on Instagram, Iglesias said: "I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and deeply sadden me."The allegations, which were first reported earlier this week, are being investigated by Spain's judiciary.The two women - a domestic worker and a physiotherapist - have alleged they suffered sexual and other forms of abuse while working at Iglesias's properties.The reports said they worked in his Caribbean residences for 10 months in 2021, which is when they allege the sexual assaults took place.On 5 January, the women filed a legal complaint for sexual assault and human trafficking with the national court, which investigates crimes allegedly committed beyond Spain's borders.Advocacy groups Women's Link Worldwide and Amnesty International said the acts alleged in the complaint could be considered "a crime of human trafficking for the purpose of forced labour" and "crimes against sexual freedom".According to testimony collected by the two groups, Iglesias subjected the women to "sexual harassment, regularly checked their mobile phones, restricted their ability to leave the home where they worked, and required them to work up to 16 hours a day without days off".Women's Link described the complainants as young Latin American women "in vulnerable situations who were heavily dependent on their wages due to their economic and social conditions".In his Instagram statement, Iglesias wrote: "It is with profound sadness that I respond to the accusations made by two people who previously worked for me.He added: "I have never felt such malice, but I still have the strength to let people know the whole truth and defend my dignity against such a serious accusation."The singer also thanked the "so many dear people who have sent me messages of affection and loyalty", adding: "I have found great comfort in them."According to by Spanish news site elDiario.es and US outlet Univision, which investigated the claims over three years, the women's allegations are backed up by documentary evidence including photographs, phone records, text messages and medical reports.Their reports cite other former employees who describe a threatening, highly stressful atmosphere for those working for Iglesias.But an old friend of the singer, Jaime Peñafiel, labelled the accusations "absolute lies", while another ally, journalist Miguel Ángel Pastor, said he had never heard "any suggestion that he might have committed this kind of act".Iglesias is one of the most successful Latin artists of all time, having sold more than 300 million records in a career spanning decades.He is also the father of fellow music superstar Enrique Iglesias.