Overview
- Prosecutors in Paris requested a €50,000 fine, including €40,000 suspended, on Tuesday and the court set its ruling for June 8.
- Sophia Chikirou is on trial for attempted fraud and the alleged removal of two cheques tied to a July 2018 bid to transfer €67,146 from Le Média to her firm Mediascop.
- The transfer never went through because Le Média’s account lacked funds, a Crédit du Nord manager grew wary of the circumstances, and the outlet’s new president opposed it.
- Chikirou denies any fraud, says there is no victim or loss, and calls the timing political, with no civil party present after a 2021 settlement between the two companies.
- The case leans on a 2023 financial police report citing a legal standard for attempt based on a concrete first step, which in French law allows charges even when no money moved.