Committee of Inquiry

Ministry of Finance does not hand over Benko files

René Benko's real estate empire is to be investigated by the parliamentary committee of inquiry. On the one hand, it is about tax avoidance through complicated company structures and, on the other, about coronavirus-related subsidies. However, the Ministry of Finance is withholding files, much to the annoyance of the Greens.

The Greens have requested documents relating to two properties (Chalet N and Schlosshotel Igls) that are currently undergoing tax audits. However, the ministry is not releasing them, arguing that these properties are not attributable to René Benko. "At the same time, they write that the Laura Private Foundation already belongs to Benko. The castle hotel and chalet belong to the Laura Private Foundation," says MP Nina Tomaselli.

Tomaselli identifies "dubious hotel constructions that could become dubious tax constructions". According to the MP, the ÖVP Ministry of Finance has a "feel-good program for Benko's tax affairs". At the turn of the year, it became known that 12 million euros in sales tax debts had accumulated at the 60 million privately used villa.

Tomaselli also sees inconsistencies at Chalet N. This was officially run as a hotel. "However, we can prove through files that Benko is probably his own best guest. According to recent media reports, the tax authorities are investigating whether everything was above board in terms of tax law. So we know that there are tax audits at the two luxury hotels and the Ministry of Finance does not want to provide the files to the U Committee," criticizes Tomaselli. "We want to know from the Ministry of Finance why René Benko got away with tax sleight of hand?"

The Ministry of Finance is quite "brazen in refusing to allow MPs to look at the files". The justification that the privately used villa and chalet, which belongs to Benko's private foundation, is not attributable to Benko is unfounded. "The Ministry of Finance would be well advised to take part in the political investigation into Benko," said the MP.

When asked, the ministry emphasized that efforts were being made "to provide the committee of inquiry with all documents in full and on time and indicated that the MPs would have to be more precise in their requests. The reasons for the non-delivery have been described in detail, "which also makes it relatively easy for the committee of inquiry to submit additional requests for evidence in order to obtain exactly those documents that are 'actually wanted'."