René Benko due in court on 22 September – damages amount approximately 660,000 euros
Insolvent Tyrolean property entrepreneur René Benko is to appear before the regional court on 22 September. The damages amount at issue in the proceedings is approximately 660,000 euros.
Benko trial: Court examines advance rent payment and gift
Google News AT — Crime (de) reports that René Benko must appear before the regional court on 22 September. At the centre of the proceedings is an advance rent payment of 360,000 euros for a villa in the Hungerburg district of Innsbruck. Benko is accused of using this advance payment to prevent or diminish the satisfaction of creditor claims within the framework of his insolvency as a sole proprietor. The advance payment is alleged to have been unjustifiable in view of mounting payment difficulties and an impending bankruptcy.
Taking into account the conviction on the second count confirmed by the Supreme Court – the gift of 300,000 euros to his mother – the damages amount at issue in the proceedings comes to approximately 660,000 euros. The sentence range is one to ten years imprisonment. 23 September has been set as a possible substitute date if required.
Further charges expected in October
According to APA information, Benko is expected to face further charges at the regional court in October, which became known in mid-June. The Economic and Corruption Prosecution Service (WKStA) accuses the Tyrolean of serious fraud and fraudulent bankruptcy. Specifically, he is said to have made a "materially false guarantee" to former Strabag chief Hans Peter Haselsteiner and representatives of his family foundation, and to have fraudulently caused the foundation damage of approximately five million euros.
New allegations since late August
At the end of August, the Signa affair was supplemented by several further allegations. According to a report in the "Krone", Benko is said to have subsequently inserted the signatures of three Signa investors on a shareholder resolution – this concerned his service contract. In addition, according to the "Standard", the WKStA raised new bankruptcy allegations: Benko is said to have transferred approximately 135,000 euros in rent to a Laura company for a vehicle fleet in November and December 2023, and approximately 123,000 euros to LS Luxury Collection for stays at Chalet N on the Arlberg in late 2023 and early 2024. Furthermore, he is said to have undertaken further liabilities in the form of guarantees while already insolvent.
Munich proceedings: jurisdictional dispute
In a separate investigative strand of the WKStA, Benko's defence counsel is resisting takeover of the proceedings by the Munich public prosecutor's office, as the "Kurier" reported on Friday. The matter concerns alleged investment fraud in a real estate project in Munich. From the perspective of Benko's long-time financial manager Manuel Pirolt's defence, takeover by the German authorities would "considerably impede and also undermine the quality of truth-finding". The decision rests with the Justice Ministry in Vienna, which is currently examining a corresponding progress report.
Benko denies all allegations. He has been in pre-trial detention since January 2025; prior to the first trial in October 2025 he was transferred from Vienna to the Tyrolean capital. The presumption of innocence applies.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)