Former Nazis who fled to the U.S. after World War II received millions of dollars in Social Security payments, says a forthcoming report from the administration.
The Associated Press, working in conjunction with Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., reported that the Social Security Administration paid $20.2 million to 133 suspected war criminals and SS guards between 1962 and January 2015.
A report from the AP last year had approximated the number of people receiving payments. An investigation performed by the administration's inspector general at Maloney's request now confirms more clearly both the number of people receiving benefits as well as the amounts they received over the years. The full IG reported is expected to be released this week.
Starting in 1979, a Nazi-hunting unit in the Justice Department called The Office of Special Investigation was formed. In many cases, agents of the unit convinced revealed Nazis to self-deport by allowing them to continue receiving payments after they had left the U.S.
Four former Nazis were revealed to still be receiving payments last year. The No Social Security for Nazis Act took effect in 2015, however, and ended those final payments.
"We must continue working to remember the tragedy of the Holocaust and hold those responsible accountable," Maloney said in a statement. "One way to do that is by providing as much information to the public as possible. This report hopefully provides some clarity."
© 2023 Newsmax. All rights reserved.