René Benko Receives First Indictment in Signa Case
Signa founder René Benko has been in pre-trial detention for months. Now, the Austrian Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in Vienna has filed its first indictment in the Signa complex.
The Austrian Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) has brought the first charges in the Signa investigation, according to a statement, with René Benko being accused of committing fraudulent Krida. The indictment was filed with the Regional Court of Innsbruck.
Under Austrian criminal law, this offense occurs when someone reduces their assets in order to prevent or diminish the satisfaction of creditors’ claims. Benko is alleged to have hindered or reduced the satisfaction of creditor claims during his personal bankruptcy by diverting assets.
Gifts to Relatives
Specific actions cited include an advance payment of approximately 360,000 euros ($418,000) in rent and operating costs for the lease of a house, as well as a gift of 300,000 euros to family members. Both actions were reportedly carried out amid growing financial distress and in anticipation of imminent insolvency proceedings.
The WKStA’s investigation in the Signa complex is being supported by a special unit called «SOKO Signa» within the Federal Criminal Police Office. According to the authorities, the broader investigation involves serious fraud, fraudulent Krida, breach of trust, subsidy fraud and preferential treatment of creditors.
The investigation targets more than a dozen individuals and two legal entities. The total financial damage under investigation currently amounts to around 300 million euro.
