If I had to pay myself the going rate for running my own startup, I wouldn't be able to afford doing the startup!
I might hire a Junior developer to do the coding, a salesperson to land the gig, etc. If you're not bringing in enough revenue to fund those "positions" + profit then you are not billing enough for your work.
Those people get paid and so should I for performing those duties.
My businesses can't pay me my going wage at the start because I try to avoid debt when starting a business to the greatest degree possible. There are much more crucial expenses that money needs to go to (such as paying others).
Thread 1 is whether or not the behavior you describe is a crime
Thread 2 is whether or not anyone will ever enforce it and what might the penalties be (if any)
My guess is that it's technically a (minor) crime but will never be enforced unless you become a political problem or something and they just need to find any old crime to get you.
None of the above should be considered legal or financial advice. It is solely my personal opinion and I am not an accountant or lawyer.