The Austrian investor René Benko has to face another trial. A spokeswoman for the Innsbruck Higher Regional Court said the defense had withdrawn its objection to an indictment brought by the public prosecutor. The indictment is therefore legally binding. Specifically, the Economic and Corruption Public Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) once again suspects the 48-year-old of harming his creditors.
According to the indictment, it involves eleven luxury watches, other valuables and 120,000 euros in cash, which the ex-billionaire wanted to keep safe from his creditors in view of the impending bankruptcy of his Signa Group. The damage amount is 370,000 euros. This means that the penalty range is up to ten years in prison. A trial date has not yet been set.
Benko wants a timely second trial
Given the first verdict on Wednesday, his client’s wish was to face the second trial as soon as possible, his lawyer Norbert Wess told the dpa.
Benko was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday. The court found it proven that the founder of the real estate and trading group Signa gave his mother 300,000 euros in order to keep this sum out of the reach of his creditors.