In the Signa complex, the second indictment by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) has now been filed. Company founder René Benko, who has been in pre-trial detention since January 24, and a co-defendant are being summoned to court for fraudulent bankruptcy. Benko is alleged to have concealed assets, thereby reducing the fulfillment of creditor claims during his insolvency as an entrepreneur, the WKStA announced. The indictment is not legally binding.
The lawsuit concerns a total damage amounting to 370,000 euros. Specifically, it involves cash amounting to 120,000 euros as well as eleven high-priced watches, cufflinks, watch straps, and other items with a total value of almost 250,000 euros, according to the WKStA. The mentioned assets are said to have been hidden in a safe in the house of relatives. The co-defendant is alleged to have contributed to Benko's act. The penalty range is one to ten years in prison. The indictment was again filed with the Innsbruck Regional Court.
Meanwhile, no separate, additional trial is likely to take place for the now accused - in addition to the one that will already take place on October 14 and 15 at the Innsbruck Regional Court against Benko, also on charges of fraudulent bankruptcy. Should the current indictment become legally binding, it is "likely" that it will also be negotiated or included on the two trial days in mid-October, court spokesman Klaus Jennewein told APA. This is also provided for in the Code of Criminal Procedure for an "identical defendant" or the same period of the offense.
Possibility to File an Objection Against Indictment
Initially, however, Benko's legal representation again has the opportunity to file an objection against the indictment within two weeks. Should such an objection be filed, a decision on it would be made by the October trial and thus would not delay it, Jennewein said.
First Indictment Became Legally Binding in August
In the first indictment, which became final at the beginning of August, the Tyrolean entrepreneur is also accused of having prevented or reduced the satisfaction of creditor claims during his insolvency as a sole proprietor by setting aside assets. The indictment concerned, on the one hand, the advance payment of rent and operating costs amounting to 360,000 euros for the rental of a house, which were said to be economically and factually unjustifiable, and a gift of 300,000 euros to relatives.
Investigations Against Two Managers
The complex legal proceedings in the Signa case have meanwhile been expanded by another line of investigation. Specifically, two managers of the Signa Group are being investigated for breach of trust. The WKStA accuses them of having violated their duty in managing employee shares by failing to inform an employee in a timely manner about the financial problems of the now insolvent Signa Prime Selection AG and the devaluation of the shares. As a result, the employee is said to have suffered damage that has yet to be determined.
WKStA Pursues Multiple Lines of Inquiry
The WKStA is currently pursuing 14 different lines of inquiry. In addition to fraudulent bankruptcy, the allegations include breach of trust, serious fraud, creditor favoritism, and subsidy fraud. More than a dozen accused individuals and two associations are under scrutiny. The total damage under investigation currently amounts to around 300 million euros, according to the public prosecutor's office. Benko has so far consistently denied all allegations.
(APA/Red)
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