Benko in court: retrial in Innsbruck on 22 September confirmed
Innsbruck Regional Court confirms the date for the retrial of proceedings against René Benko. In autumn, the Signa founder faces another trial.
Retrial against Benko: 22 September at Innsbruck Regional Court
René Benko, the Signa founder held in custody pending trial, must appear before a jury court of the Innsbruck Regional Court on 22 September from 9:00 a.m. onwards. As gmx.at reports, the Regional Court confirmed this date by press release.
The basis for the retrial is a decision by the Supreme Court (OGH) in July: the Supreme Court had quashed a partial acquittal in proceedings concerning fraudulent insolvency. At the centre is an advance rent payment of 360,000 euros for a villa in the Hungerburg district of Innsbruck. Benko is accused of thereby preventing or reducing the satisfaction of creditors' claims within the framework of his insolvency as a sole trader. The advance payment is alleged to have been unreasonable given the impression of increasing payment difficulties and foreseeable insolvency proceedings.
Including the conviction on the second count confirmed by the Supreme Court – a gift of 300,000 euros to his mother – the amount of damages comes to approximately 660,000 euros. The sentencing range is one to ten years imprisonment. 23 September is set as an alternative date.
Further proceedings in autumn
According to APA information, Benko is expected to face further charges at the Regional Court in October. The Economic and Corruption Prosecution (WKStA) accuses the insolvent Tyrolean property developer of serious fraud and fraudulent insolvency. Specifically, he is alleged to have issued a "false guarantee" to former Strabag chief Hans Peter Haselsteiner or representatives of his family foundation and to have defrauded the foundation "by approximately five million euros".
Further allegations emerged in late August. According to a report by the "Krone", Benko allegedly subsequently inserted the signatures of three Signa investors on a shareholders' resolution – this concerned his service contract. The "Standard" also reported that the WKStA has raised new insolvency allegations: Benko allegedly transferred approximately 135,000 euros in rent for a fleet to a Laura company in November and December 2023 and approximately 123,000 euros to LS Luxury Collection for stays in Chalet N on the Arlberg in late 2023 and early 2024. He is also said to have undertaken further liabilities in the form of guarantees whilst still insolvent.
Benko has so far rejected all allegations. He has been held in custody pending trial since January 2025 and was transferred from Vienna to the Tyrolean state capital before the first trial in October 2025.
Source: Kleine Zeitung