🔍 Why These Tips Matter in 2025

In 2025, allegations of misappropriation of company assets (abus de biens sociaux in French law) are increasingly common in the startup ecosystem. Young founders, tech entrepreneurs, and fast-growing scale-up CEOs are under more scrutiny than ever.

Multiple fundraising rounds, blurred lines between personal and corporate spending, and an aggressive compliance climate have made this offense a hotspot for legal risk in France.

Moreover, with cash flow tightening and traditional financing channels shrinking, some executives have resorted to practices now criminalized or interpreted as fraudulent.

👉 Result: French financial prosecutors (PNF, economic and financial divisions) are intensifying investigations, often based on anonymous whistleblowing or internal disputes.

✅ 10 Actionable Tips from Me Nicolas PAGANELLI, Criminal Lawyer in Paris

1. Take the accusation seriously, immediately

A complaint—however minor or unfounded it seems—can escalate into a full-scale criminal investigation. Don’t wait. Retain counsel fast.

2. Gather and secure your accounting records

Invoices, expense reports, bank records, internal validation chains—your documentation must be clean, structured, and defensible.

3. Clarify the boundary between business and personal expenses

Was the dinner really for client acquisition? Was the trip business-related? These gray zones are exactly where prosecutors dig.

4. Control your internal communication

Slack messages, emails, internal notes—anything written can become a key piece of evidence. Assume nothing is off the record.

5. Never attend police or magistrate interviews alone

Even a “simple” voluntary hearing (audition libre) can lead to prosecution. Your lawyer must be present at all times.

6. Build a defense on transparency and intent

The legal notion of abus de biens sociaux requires intent to act against the company’s interest. Your goal: show benefit to the business.

7. Expose potential conflicts with whistleblowers

Most accusations stem from internal grievances: disgruntled co-founders, fired employees, minority shareholders. This context matters—and must be revealed.

8. Bring in a third-party chartered accountant

An independent expert can legitimize your choices and counter any prosecutorial bias.

9. Prepare for reputational damage

Even in absence of conviction, just being under investigation can harm your image. Me PAGANELLI provides discreet crisis management support.

10. Choose a lawyer with deep knowledge of startup law

Fundraising mechanisms, SAFEs, vesting schedules, governance: only a lawyer fluent in both criminal law and entrepreneurial ecosystems can protect you fully.

📞 Contact Me Nicolas PAGANELLI, Criminal Defense Attorney in Paris

Are you a CEO, founder, president of a French company or startup, under investigation or accused of abuse of corporate assets ?

🎯 Me Nicolas PAGANELLI, one of Paris’ most sought-after white-collar criminal lawyers, offers tailored, discreet, and strategic legal counsel.

For confidential legal consultation and representation in criminal matters, please contact :

• Website: www.nicolas-paganelli-avocat.fr
• Phone: +33 6 34 39 66 36 
• Email: [email protected]

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📅 Last updated: May 2025

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