René Benko faces new fraud trial in Innsbruck

René Benko Signa Group Hans Peter Haselsteiner Innsbruck Regional Court fraud trial

René Benko, the founder of the collapsed Signa Group, has appeared before the Innsbruck Regional Court to face new charges of serious fraud and fraudulent bankruptcy. The prosecution, led by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA), alleges that Benko defrauded the private foundation of industrialist Hans Peter Haselsteiner of approximately 5 million euros.

According to the indictment, Benko provided a “false guarantee” in November 2023, shortly before Signa's insolvency, to secure funds for the retail subsidiary SportScheck. Prosecutors argue Benko never intended to repay the sum. Additionally, Benko is accused of concealing a hunting rifle valued at 80,000 euros from creditors and insolvency administrators.

Haselsteiner, the former head of Strabag and a long-time business partner of Benko, testified that he would not have provided the funds without Benko's personal guarantee. Benko, who is currently under electronic house arrest with an ankle monitor, denies all allegations through his legal counsel. If convicted, he faces a potential prison sentence of up to ten years.

Entities

Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office · Hans Peter Haselsteiner · Innsbruck Regional Court · Innsbruck Regional Court · René Benko · Signa Group · Strabag · WKStA

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] A conviction could result in a prison sentence of up to ten years for Benko. www.vol.at · www.cash.ch · kurier.at · www.upday.com · www.bild.de
[● 5 SOURCES] Benko is accused of concealing a hunting rifle worth 80,000 euros from creditors. www.vol.at · www.cash.ch · kurier.at · www.upday.com · www.bild.de
[● 10 SOURCES] Benko is currently under electronic house arrest with an ankle monitor. www.vol.at · www.kurierverlag.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.cash.ch · kurier.at · +5 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Benko allegedly provided a false guarantee to the Haselsteiner foundation on November 6, 2023. www.vol.at · www.kurierverlag.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.cash.ch · kurier.at · +6 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Benko's lawyer, Norbert Wess, has denied the allegations. www.vol.at · kurier.at · www.upday.com
[● 9 SOURCES] Hans Peter Haselsteiner testified as a witness during the trial. www.vol.at · www.kurierverlag.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.cash.ch · www.upday.com · +4 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Benko allegedly defrauded the Hans Peter Haselsteiner family foundation of approximately 5 million euros. www.vol.at · www.kurierverlag.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.cash.ch · kurier.at · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] René Benko is accused of serious fraud and fraudulent bankruptcy. www.vol.at · www.kurierverlag.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.cash.ch · kurier.at · +6 more