Former Austrian Billionaire René Benko Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison
INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA — September 23, 2026

Former Austrian property billionaire René Benko has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after being found guilty of an additional insolvency fraud charge in a retrial over the collapse of his Signa business empire.

The ruling on Tuesday increased Benko’s prison sentence from the original two years. His conviction is part of a wider criminal investigation following the collapse of Signa, which became Austria’s largest post-war corporate bankruptcy.

Retrial Leads to Additional Conviction
The case centers on financial transactions made in late 2023, when Signa was already experiencing severe financial difficulties.

Benko had previously been convicted over a €300,000 transfer to his mother. Prosecutors argued that the money had been moved to place it beyond the reach of creditors.

He was initially acquitted over a separate transaction involving approximately €360,000 in advance rent for a property in Innsbruck.

Austria’s Supreme Court later ordered a retrial on that second charge, leading to Tuesday’s new conviction.

Benko Maintains His Innocence
Benko pleaded not guilty and argued that he believed Signa could still avoid bankruptcy when the payments were made.

The court found him guilty over the advance rent payment but acquitted him of additional operating expenses connected to the property.

The maximum possible sentence for the offence was 10 years, according to the court.

Benko has remained in custody in Innsbruck since his arrest in January 2025. Time already spent in custody will count toward his sentence.

Signa Collapse Left Major Losses
Benko built Signa into a major European property and retail group with investments spanning several countries.

The company collapsed in 2023 after facing mounting financial pressure, becoming Austria’s biggest post-war bankruptcy and leaving investors across Europe facing substantial losses.

The criminal proceedings against Benko represent one part of the wider investigations into the company’s collapse.

He was also convicted in a separate insolvency fraud case in December and received a 15-month suspended prison sentence.

The latest ruling means Benko now faces a total of 30 months in prison in the current case.

Source: Reuters.