The Sala case is currently at trial in the UK.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59010670
The whole business of what can/does go on with private aircraft has been very shady for as long as I can remember. Certain websites freely advertise "cost sharing" flights which are about as close to hire and reward as one can get. Pilots that claim to be "professional" when their credentials are nothing more than a recently gained PPL. Nothing will ever change. People always try to find a way around the rules and couldn't care less about the consequences.