The first examination session in the bankruptcy proceedings over the assets of Signa founder René Benko took place on Wednesday morning at the Innsbruck Regional Court. There was a big bang before the closed hearing: Benko appeared in person in court. After the negotiation, liquidator Andreas Grabenweger told journalists that around 2 billion euros in claims had been asserted by 30 creditors. Of this, 47.3 million euros were recognized.
However, the remaining approximately 1.95 billion euros were disputed. These creditors would have the opportunity to assert or sue for their claims in a separate civil process, explained Grabenweger and the two creditor protection associations KSV1870 and AKV Europa. However, the Credit Protection Association of 1870 spoke of a high litigation risk in the case of high court costs. If the separate procedure were lost for the creditors, they would have to bear the entire costs of the “determination process” – both their own and those of the insolvency estate.
The insolvency administrator emphasized that a number of documents might or should be submitted later. If these were found to be sufficient, corresponding claims from creditors might also be subsequently recognized. The majority of the claims registered and partially disputed by the insolvency administrator come from creditors of the Signa Group, who are now also asserting their claims once morest Benko personally, said the creditors’ representatives.
The bankruptcy proceedings related to the consulting company Benkos and its entire private assets, including those abroad. However, that same consulting company was “closed” during the hour-long meeting, as the APA credit protectors announced.
Benko is currently “dependent”
The company has had contracts with various Signa Group companies in the past. As a result, Benko was able to generate around 20 to 30 million euros annually. Due to the financial situation, all of this would be on hold and there are currently no orders. Hence the decision to close the company.
It was said that Benko is currently “unemployed”. He is employed by a company “from the sphere of the Laura Private Foundation Group,” a foundation named following Benko’s daughter. The APA said that Benko currently has around 1.2 million euros in assets.
First public appearance
The person concerned made his first public appearance on Wednesday since the real estate group’s financial difficulties and the bankruptcies of numerous Signa companies. The entrepreneur, wearing a suit and tie, remained silent in front of the numerous journalists, photographers and camera teams present. He didn’t want to answer questions, instead he rushed into the courtroom accompanied by his lawyer. After the hearing, he rushed back towards the court exit just as quickly and without commenting.
By law, Benko did not actually have to appear in person at the meeting in his hometown. Most recently, however, it was assumed that he had been excused from the parliamentary investigative committee in Vienna, which was also taking place on Wednesday, because of the court date in Innsbruck.
