Scandal around René Benko: Charge for asset fraud in Innsbruck!

Scandal around René Benko: Charge for asset fraud in Innsbruck!

Innsbruck, Österreich - The indictment against former real estate entrepreneur René Benko is the focus of public attention. As vienna.at , Benko is accused of fraudulent Krida, which is related to his former company Signa. According to the investigation, he is said to have hid assets in a critical phase from his bankruptcy.

The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) accuses Benko of deliberately hiding assets from its creditors while payment difficulties were foreseeable. According to the indictment, Benko had postponed assets into his mother's power of disposal and foundations, which significantly damaged the creditors.

Details on the allegations

The indictment was brought in at the Innsbruck Regional Court and refers to a total damage of around 660,000 euros. Benko is accused of having made a repayment of 300,000 euros to his mother on the day of his Signa Holding. This payment could be seen as a gift, which is underpinned by Rundschau online

In addition, he is held up to have made an advance payment for rental and operating costs of around 360,000 euros for a property in Innsbruck in need of renovation. The WKStA considers these processes legally and economically to be indifferent, since the Benko family only moved into the relevant house at the turn of the year 2024/25.

the consequences and the legal framework

The legal consequences for Benko are serious. In the event of a conviction, he faces a prison sentence of up to ten years. In view of the complexity of the case and the fact that Benko's failure is in a greater context of the bankruptcy of Signa, the public prosecutor has also investigated him for infidelity, fraud and bankruptcy.

The right of contestation of the bankruptcy regulations play a central role in this case. As wko.at , the procedure is intended to ensure the equal treatment of all creditors and prevent assets from being deliberately postponed to the disadvantage of creditors. Actions that are carried out within two years before the bankruptcy request and are considered free of charge can be contested - especially if the debtor believes that such measures could thwart the satisfaction of a creditor.

The investigation into the bankruptcy of the Signa Group, in which other accused and legal entities are also involved, have already set a total damage of around 300 million euros. The developments related to Benko and his indictment are still being observed closely because they can have significant effects on insolvency practice and Austrian criminal law.