The Austrian magnate Renè Benko, 47 years of Innsbruck, founder of Signa Holding GmbH, arrested this morning in his Villa di Igls near the capital of Tyrol on the order of the Vienna anti -corruption prosecutor, is currently investigated for criminal offenses in 4 nations, Germany , Austria, Italy and even Liechtenstein.
The Vienna prosecutor decided the arrest for the risk of pollution of the tests and commissions of other crimes related to the distraction of movable and immovable property from the bankruptcy of the Signa Holding GmbH that he had founded. The prosecutors of Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Vaduz and Trento are investigating alleged economic crimes. The investigation of the DDA of the Public Prosecutor of Trento, who in December last year had led to the arrest of 8 people (77 total suspects), but not Benko because he was in Austria, contested a series against the magnate of serious crimes. On the charge of charge, we read, alleged association for criminal, auction disturbance, illegal financing for parties, trafficking of illegal influences, fraud, undue perception of disbursements to the detriment of the state.
Benko, via Signa, about ten years ago had made five luxurious villas with swimming pool and Spa on the hill of Gardone Riviera in Trentino. The Economic Prosecutor and Anti -Corruption (WKSTA) of Vienna investigated the legitimacy of the extension of a bank loan that took place shortly before the opening of the insolvency procedure. According to the accusation, Benko would take part in the negotiations in the summer of 2023 and would have falsified the economic performance of the Signa Group and his financial resources. At the same time, Wksta investigated Benko for suspicious fraudulent failure. The accusation claims that he has sold several goods, including a sports car and hunting weapons, without adequate compensation, thus damaging the creditors. The Austrian authorities have recently analyzed the luxury hotel ‘Chalet n’ a Lech Am Arlberg more closely. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Benko received a dedicated ‘Coronà Coronà funding of 1.2 million euros for the property. However, investigators suspect that the funds have been obtained illegally and used for private purposes, as the chalet was often used by Benko himself, his family and business friends. Benko’s lawyer Norbert Wess has always denied the accusations made against his client. In Germany, the prosecutors of Berlin and Munich have started investigations against the failure of the famous’ Kadewè shopping center. In Munich, the prosecutor has opened a file against the Tycoon from November 2023 for suspicious money laundering and possible insolvency crimes. The attention of the Authority is paid to the ‘Hilliè dares of Munich, purchased and renovated by Signa. Benko is said to have marked most of the funds raised abroad through a company in Luxembourg attributed to his family. Since last spring the public prosecutor of Vaduz in Liechtenstein has also been investigating “a legal person and a natural person” for suspicious recycling of money and bankruptcy fraud through Benko’s company foundations.