It is an internationa commercial and administrative rule/law that the owner/shareholder is away of anything done without his written request or consent. Even with his consent or instruction, the manager is the first and main responsible. If he consider that owner's requirements are not legal or suitable for the management of the bussines he have the possibility to resign before bad things happens.
It is not the owner (in legal terms) who is conducting the activity. Is the CEO and executive manager!! If you will not receive your salary you will not blame the owner but your director....What tpo do in case of corporations? Will you blame 2000000 shareholders for the fraude of the general manager? They will have their part of losses and that's all. This is bussines jungle: if you dare you participate, if you are lucky you are a rich man, if not you go to jail (extreme). But you are the one to accept or not this risk.