A boat trip by the Tyrolean Signa founder René Benko, who had gone bankrupt, on Lake Garda in Italy last August apparently caused trouble for the insolvency administrator Andreas Grabenweger. A photo published on Wednesday in the “Kronen Zeitung” shows Benko at the helm of his blue motorboat. “It had to be clear to everyone that once bankruptcy was declared, the boat no longer had to be put into operation,” Grabenweger told the APA.
The incident on Lake Garda is an “indication that the debtor's willingness to cooperate is not present to the extent that I have repeatedly been assured,” said the insolvency administrator, who has been responsible for handling Benko's insolvency as an entrepreneur at the Innsbruck Regional Court since March. Benko's actions would only have any civil or criminal consequences “if actual damage had been added”. However, the use of the boat and the associated increase in operating hours “did not lead to a reduction in the value of the auctioned object,” said Grabenweger. The sports boat has now been sold after an appraiser set the price at 95,000 euros, according to “Krone”.
Bankruptcy trustee finds Benko’s lifestyle “outrageous”
The insolvency administrator basically stated that it was “completely clear” that a debtor after the declaration of insolvency could only dispose of his assets with the consent of the insolvency administrator. “Mr Benko obviously didn’t stick to that,” said Grabenweger, showing incomprehension. The liquidator also made it clear to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (FAZ) that he did not approve of Benko’s continued luxurious lifestyle and found it “outrageous”: “This ostentation despite all the demands, despite the bankruptcies, despite the failure of the entire Signa .” group to simply carry on living unabashedly.” However, he repeatedly stated that third parties were free to support a debtor. He assured the “FAZ” that he would definitely make the most of his scope for action.
Despite the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, Benko still lives with his family in a luxurious villa in the Igls district of Innsbruck. This is financed by his mother or a private foundation. A hunting trip in Styria last September with the outgoing Tyrolean deputy governor Georg Dornauer (SPÖ) also recently caused excitement and criticism.
Court proceedings regarding the mother's founder rights are still pending
In the bankruptcy proceedings before the Innsbruck regional court, the court has so far filed lawsuits worth 47 million. Euros were recognized, with the creditors asserting two billion euros in claims. A subsequent audit meeting at the end of September did not result in any significant changes to the total. According to observers, the bankruptcy proceedings will take “many years”. In addition, a hearing regarding a lawsuit brought by Grabenweger regarding the two private foundations – the Laura Private Foundation based in Innsbruck and the Ingbe Foundation in Vaduz, Liechtenstein – is likely to take place at the beginning of the year.
