On the fifth day of the bribery trial against ex-Greens Christoph Chorherr, the accused investor René Benko was questioned. He downplayed his role at Signa.
Large courtroom in the Viennese court: real estate juggler René Benko leaned over to the interrogation table. It is day 5 in the bribery trial of ex-Green Christoph Chorherr. The trial led by judge Michael Tolstiuk, which, in short, involves donations to Chorherr’s association “S2Arch” as alleged bribery for bringing about land rededication, has hardly produced anything new.
“Mass interest in balanced civil service activity”
The 45-year-old Benko is charged in connection with a donation of 100,000 euros from Signa to the Chorherr’sche school project in South Africa, paid in November 2011. Until 2013, the founder of the company was one of the directors of Signa.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, in connection with the project of the business center of the main station, he had “a huge interest in a balanced official activity of the then spokesperson for green planning”.
The allegation against him was “incorrect”, according to the Tyrolean: “What surprises me is the connection between the donation from 2011 and a property that belonged to ÖBB at the time.” Signa only acquired this in 2012. The lead time for the purchase was approximately six months. When asked about corporate structure, he said, “We have hundreds of companies in our group of companies – it’s hard to allocate everything, especially when it’s been over a decade.” advisory board.
An awkward question from an observant judge
“Then why are you here? And why are you the face of Signa?” asked an observant judge. “I wonder that too,” was the reply.
Benko’s conviction would have to take into account a verdict of the Regional Criminal Court of August 2013, in which he was sentenced to a suspended 12-month prison sentence that has now been purchased. If he is found guilty, he will receive ‘only’ an extra sentence.
WKStA also investigates in other Causa
However, it remains uncomfortable for Benko. The WKStA is investigating in connection with the Schmid confession against him. According to this, the investor would have offered the ex-secretary general of the Ministry of Finance (note: Thomas Schmid) “an advantage for partial support in the tax audit process of his group, namely a well-paid management position in this group”, according to a WKStA- broadcast. In other words: job offer for tax relief
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
