Misappropriation

Misappropriation is the act of dishonestly or unfairly taking something, especially money, belonging to another party for one's own use. This can involve embezzlement, theft, or the unauthorized use of funds or assets. It implies a breach of trust and a violation of legal and ethical standards. The key element is the diversion of something from its intended or rightful owner or purpose to an improper one, usually for personal gain or the gain of another without permission or legal justification. It often involves concealing the transaction or activity to avoid detection.

Misappropriation meaning with examples

• The accountant was accused of misappropriation of funds after an audit revealed discrepancies in the company's financial records. She had allegedly been diverting money from the operating account to her personal account. The investigation led to criminal charges and significant reputational damage for the accused accountant.
• The charity faced a scandal due to allegations of misappropriation of donations. Several board members were suspected of using funds collected for disaster relief efforts on luxury travel and personal investments, causing outrage among donors and the public.
• During the construction project, a city official was charged with the misappropriation of public resources. They were believed to have funneled construction materials and labor towards their personal residence instead of using them for the intended city infrastructure.
• The CEO was implicated in a lawsuit alleging the misappropriation of trade secrets. He was accused of using confidential company information to launch a competing business venture, potentially costing the original company millions in revenue.