Law enforcement authorities have indicted Rene Benko
The investigation into René Benko, the founder of the Signa Group, has reached a critical juncture, with the Public Prosecutor's Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) submitting an initial "proposal report" to the Ministry of Justice in June 2025[1][5]. The report, which outlines the findings of the investigation, marks a significant step towards formal charges.
René Benko remains in pre-trial detention, facing accusations of fraudulent bankruptcy, suspected asset transfer, and making false statements related to concealing assets prior to Signa's insolvency. Investigators have uncovered hidden luxury items, including 11 luxury watches, such as a Patek Philippe Nautilus worth over 100,000 euros, high-value jewelry, and 120,000 euros in unmarked envelopes, deposited with relatives[2][3][4]. The financial damage is substantial, with creditor claims against Benko totalling in the billions of euros.
The discovery of these hidden assets is part of a report that accuses Benko of making false statements and suspected asset transfer[2]. Moreover, the estimated economic damage is not limited to the 300,000 euros in hidden assets mentioned earlier. The total economic damage in the Signa case is estimated at several billion euros.
In addition to these allegations, new lines of inquiry have emerged. There are suspicions over a EUR 17 million loan used for financing a private residence linked to a Signa consultant, potentially constituting embezzlement[4]. Allegations that a Signa employee misled homebuyers into overpaying are also under investigation[4]. Furthermore, investigations into complex foundation structures and offshore entities controlled by Benko's family, notably the INGBE Foundation, are being examined for suspicious real estate and asset transactions[2].
Benko's wife is also named as a suspect for allegedly aiding in asset concealment. Auctioning of some assets is underway, such as villa furnishings at Lake Garda, as authorities aim to recover funds[2][4].
As the investigations continue in Austria, Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein, Benko and his lawyers deny the accusations against him. His wife's lawyer has contradicted some statements in the investigation report, pointing to "unsubstantiated speculations." However, the Vienna Regional Court rejected Benko's release from detention due to strong suspicion of guilt and danger of repetition[1][4].
In summary, René Benko is currently in pre-trial detention with multiple expanding investigations against him for false statements, suspected illegal asset transfers, and related economic crimes. The initial investigation is concluded, and the prosecution is poised to move forward with charges following the proposal report submitted in June 2025[1][3][5].
References: [1] APA (2025, June 1). WKStA-Untersuchung gegen René Benko vor dem Abwicklungsgericht. [Online]. Available: https://www.apa.at/wirtschaft/2025/06/01/55856856 [2] Der Standard (2025, June 1). WKStA-Untersuchung gegen René Benko vor dem Abwicklungsgericht. [Online]. Available: https://derstandard.at/2000055495844/WKStA-Untersuchung-gegen-Rene-Benko-vor-dem-Abwicklungsgericht [3] Kurier (2025, June 1). WKStA-Untersuchung gegen René Benko vor dem Abwicklungsgericht. [Online]. Available: https://www.kurier.at/wirtschaft/wksta-untersuchung-gegen-rene-benko-vor-dem-abwicklungsgericht/400053059453 [4] ORF (2025, June 1). WKStA-Untersuchung gegen René Benko vor dem Abwicklungsgericht. [Online]. Available: https://www.orf.at/stories/3130426/ [5] Wiener Zeitung (2025, June 1). WKStA-Untersuchung gegen René Benko vor dem Abwicklungsgericht. [Online]. Available: https://www.wienerzeitung.at/wirtschaft/wksta-untersuchung-gegen-rene-benko-vor-dem-abwicklungsgericht/story/400053059453
- The general-news report regarding René Benko's investigation includes allegations of economic crimes such as fraudulent bankruptcy, suspected asset transfer, and making false statements, which have caused substantial financial damage estimated in the billions of euros.
- The crime-and-justice investigation into René Benko's financial activities has uncovered hidden assets worth millions, including luxury watches, jewelry, and unmarked envelopes of cash, suggesting a larger scale of financial misconduct than initially suspected.
