In the Signa complex, the second indictment by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) has now been filed. Company founder René Benko 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 a sole proprietor, the WKStA announced on Thursday. 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 at the home of relatives. The co-defendant is alleged to have contributed to Benko's act. The indictment was again filed with the Regional Court in Innsbruck.
Meanwhile, no separate, additional trial is expected to take place for the now accused - in addition to the one already scheduled for 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.
Benko's Legal Representation Can Appeal
Initially, however, Benko's legal representation again has the opportunity to file an appeal against the indictment within two weeks. Should such an appeal be filed, a decision on it would be reached before the trial in October, and thus it would not be delayed, Jennewein said.
In the first indictment, which became legally binding at the beginning of August, the Tyrolean company is also accused of having prevented or reduced the satisfaction of creditor claims during its insolvency as a sole proprietor by concealing 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, as well as a gift of 300,000 euros to relatives.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.