German family to donate $16m after learning of Nazi past
ONE of Europe’s wealthiest families, who discovered their ancestors enthusiastically supported the Nazis and used forced labour, will donate 10 million euros ($A16 million) to charity.
ONE of Europe’s wealthiest families, who discovered their ancestors enthusiastically supported the Nazis and used forced labour, will donate 10 million euros ($A16 million) to charity.
The Reimann family, who own Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and a number of other high-profile businesses, commissioned a German historian in 2014 to thoroughly examine the family’s history.
According to Germany’s Bild newspaper, preliminary findings show Albert Reimann Sr. and Albert Reimann Jr. used Russian civilians and French prisoners of war as forced labourers in their industrial chemicals company.
The father and son died in 1954 and 1984.
“We were all ashamed and turned as white as the wall,” family spokesman Peter Harf, who heads the Reimann’s JAB Holding Company, said.
“Reimann senior and Reimann junior were guilty … they belonged in jail.
“There is nothing to gloss over. These crimes are disgusting.”
The money will be donated to a yet-to-be determined charity as a gesture, and once the historian’s report is complete, it will be released to the public.
“The whole truth must be put on the table,” Harf said.
AJN STAFF
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