This Monday, September 30, Magali Berdah, emblematic figure of the world of influencers, appeared before the Nice court for “bankruptcy”. The prosecution requested a sentence of eighteen months in prison, including six months under an electronic bracelet, against the former insurance broker. The deliberation is expected for November 25.
Magali Berdah is accused of having deliberately caused the bankruptcy of a brokerage company, BA&CO, founded by a close friend and then taken over by her mother. Placed in compulsory liquidation in July 2015, the company had accumulated liabilities estimated at 2.5 million euros. The authorities suspect her of having been the de facto manager of this company, despite her assertions of having been only a simple employee responsible for the commercial side.
BA&CO’s accounting, between 2014 and 2015, revealed blatant anomalies, including 80,000 euros withdrawn in cash without justification. In addition, a sum of 600,000 euros was allegedly transferred to an account in the name of a secretary, which also included luxury expenses such as hotels in Monaco and expensive clothes. These expenses could not be justified by any of the three accused. The prosecution requested a suspended prison sentence for her friend and her mother, who were also involved in the affair.
Magali Berdah, who was already convicted in 2019 for abuse of weakness after borrowing money from a man suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, recognized a certain “permeability” between her personal finances and those of society. She admitted to having received funds in connection with her work, while claiming to have repaid the borrowed amounts in full.
In 2017, after this first business, Magali Berdah founded the Shauna Events agency, specializing in connecting brands and influencers, contributing to its media success. However, her rise was followed by a “descent into hell” in 2022, in particular due to accusations from rapper Booba who targeted her for “deceptive commercial practices”. Although the investigation was closed, Booba was indicted for aggravated online harassment.
While awaiting the verdict, Magali Berdah says she is calm about the legal outcome, although worried for her safety. She reported threats received on social networks, with Internet users announcing that they wanted to wait for her at the Nice court.
