Prosecutors File New Charges Against Real Estate Mogul René Benko

Austrian prosecutors have filed a new indictment against Signa founder René Benko, who has been in pre-trial detention since January 2025. The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) announced on Friday that it has brought charges of serious fraud and fraudulent insolvency against the former real estate entrepreneur at the Innsbruck Regional Court. The indictment is not yet legally binding.

The prosecution accuses Benko of providing a "false guarantee" to an investor, believed to be former Strabag CEO Hans-Peter Haselsteiner, or representatives of a family foundation. This allegedly led the foundation to transfer approximately 5 million euros to Signa Holding and refrain from demanding the return of another 1.7 million euros. According to the WKStA, Benko falsely promised the foundation the payment of around 5 million euros by June 30, 2024, which was not fulfilled. Consequently, the foundation is said to have suffered a loss of about 5 million euros, while Signa Holding and another company were unjustly enriched.

Furthermore, the current indictment accuses Benko of preventing or diminishing the satisfaction of creditors' claims during the Signa insolvency and his personal insolvency by allegedly hiding a hunting rifle valued at 80,000 euros. This accusation is part of a larger strand of proceedings related to Benko's insolvency. Investigations into further allegations in this context are still pending. Benko maintains his innocence and denies all charges.