The prosecution requested an 18-month prison sentence, including six months under an electronic bracelet, against Magali Berdah, a former notable influencer figure, during her trial in Nice for bankruptcy.
According to French media sources, prosecutor Sylvie Maillard claimed that Berdah, although she presented herself as a simple employee of the brokerage company BA&CO, was in fact its manager.
BA&CO, a company founded in 2013 by a childhood friend of Berdah, and taken over by her mother in 2014, was liquidated in 2015 with a deficit of 2.5 million euros.
Anomalies were found in the management of BA&CO, including cash withdrawals and lavish spending, arousing the suspicions of the authorities.
Berdah admitted confusion between his personal finances and those of the company, while rejecting responsibility for the embezzlement. “Overnight, we woke up saying that it was Magali Berdah who had done everything,” she defended herself.
The defense argued for an acquittal, citing a late investigation. The verdict will be delivered on November 25.
At 42, Berdah is a social media icon in France. She is the founder of agency Shauna Events, which connects influencers and brands, and has shaped the landscape of business partnerships in reality TV and digital influencing.
Despite her prolific career, she has been involved in several controversies, including a conflict with rapper Booba and accusations of unscrupulous business practices.
