Second Trial Against Benko: Cash, Jewelry, and Watches Allegedly Hidden

In addition to the 48-year-old, his wife Nathalie also has to answer before the jury court. Both are accused of having set aside 370,000 euros in assets during Benko's insolvency as a sole proprietor. Cash, jewelry, and high-priced watches are said to have been hidden in a safe at relatives' homes.

According to the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA), there was a "close temporal connection" between the installation of the safe in the house of Nathalie Benko's uncle and aunt in the Tyrolean Oberland on March 11 and Benko's insolvency application just five days earlier. During the investigations by the insolvency administrator, it was noticed that watches, for which there were insurance documents, did not appear in René Benko's asset register. A former security employee of the family finally provided the hint of a possible safe outside the villa - which the senior prosecutor described in his opening statement as "the most secure place in Austria" due to a safe room. During a house search, investigators "indeed found" the safe in the basement, hidden behind boxes.

The public prosecutor described René Benko's behavior after his arrest as "astonishing" when he was questioned about the assets in question. At first, he did not comment, but several weeks later he submitted a written statement. According to this, he had given four watches to his six- and eleven-year-old sons for Christmas in 2021 and had "occasionally borrowed" them afterwards. However, pictures of the Christmas celebration would show "age-appropriate" gifts for the boys, and Benko was wearing one of the watches himself on December 25. Other watches were intended for auction at a charity event. The watches and cufflinks were said to have been worth 250,000 euros. The 120,000 euros in the safe, Nathalie Benko - who described herself as a "full-time mom" and shook her head at the prosecutor's statements like her husband - had saved as household money. Whether this is "credible" must now be decided by the court.

Wess: "Science-Fiction, Hocus Pocus"

Benko's defense lawyer Norbert Wess, in his opening statement, harshly criticized the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office and requested an acquittal. The allegations are false, and there is no objectively incriminating or concrete evidence in the indictment. "From page ten, it becomes science fiction." And repeatedly, Wess emotionally stated: "This is hocus pocus." "This is a prime example of how not to and should not prosecute," the defense lawyer also recorded. The investigative authority should actually "weigh all pros and cons with an open outcome," emphasized the Vienna lawyer. None of this was considered. Furthermore, the indictment completely ignores the year 2021 - when the gifts were supposed to have been given - a year in which Benko was "at the peak" professionally and economically. At that time, all family members were given gifts, and they were indeed "usual gifts." In addition, the uncle and aunt testified under oath that their niece only wanted to "separate" her valuables and store them with them due to an upcoming move. Her husband, on the other hand, was not involved in any way, the two testified. Thus, and due to many other facts, it is clearly evident that there was never a so-called "joint plan of action."

"In Court, It Should Be About Knowledge"

Attributing all the valuables and cash in the safe to René Benko is simply objectively wrong. Part of the indictment also consists of inaccuracies. The indictment is largely about belief, but not about knowledge: "In court, it should be about knowledge."

Just as Benko gave a "life ring" to mother and daughter, he also gave something to his daughters - as a "tangible memory" of their father, as stated in the written counterstatement, which Wess repeatedly referred to and which was created with the active assistance of Benko. Of 16 high-priced watches, several of which went to his insolvency administrator, he had previously selected some "in an emotional moment" in 2021 and given them to his sons. In one case or another, he also "strapped on" a watch himself afterwards. Such gifts to a six-year-old or an eleven-year-old are quite normal "in a family context." One gives, so to speak, with a long-term perspective. It does not mean that the watches are worn immediately or have to be worn.

Regarding the cash, it is by no means an "emergency cash reserve" or a "nest egg." Rather, it is household money or savings, i.e., funds from Nathalie Benko, which were largely set aside years ago.

The Signa founder had vehemently denied the allegations in advance of the trial. His wife has not yet defended herself. Both defendants face one to ten years in prison if convicted.

Second Trial Against Benko: Large Media Turnout

As in the first bankruptcy trial against the fallen former multi-billionaire, the media turnout was extremely large this time as well, both before and in the large jury courtroom of the Innsbruck Regional Court. Around 50 journalists - including from abroad - gathered in the hall, along with numerous photographers and camera teams. When Benko, who is in pre-trial detention, was led into the courtroom by security officers - again without handcuffs - a minute-long flash storm descended on him. The 48-year-old is visibly marked. His wife Nathalie only entered the courtroom after the photographers and camera teams had to leave the jury courtroom.

Verdict Possibly Today

The jury trial, chaired by Judge Heide Maria Paul, is scheduled today from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A second day of hearings is scheduled for December 16. However, a verdict could be reached today. Benko was sentenced to two years in prison in a first bankruptcy trial in his hometown in October - not yet legally binding. He was found guilty regarding a 300,000-euro gift to his mother. In a second charge concerning an advance payment of rent and operating costs amounting to 360,000 euros for an Innsbruck property, the former entrepreneur was acquitted. Both Benko's lawyer Wess and the WKStA have filed appeals against the verdict.

(APA/Red)

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