Tuesday, November 9, 2010

US Charges 17 with $42M Holocaust Funds Theft; Defendants Could Face up to 20 Years in Prison

The BBC website reports today (November 9, 2010) that 17 people have been charged in the U.S. with the theft of $42 million of Holocaust compensation funds provided by the German government.

Prosecutors alleged the 17 fooled a non-profit-making group that distributes the funds into making 5,500 false payments.

Six of those charged work for the group -- the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

The chairman of the group said it was "outraged" at the alleged thefts. It had detected the matter itself and contacted the FBI.

If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison.

Chairman of the claims conference, Julius Berman, said, "We are outraged that individuals would steal money intended for survivors of history's worst crime to enrich themselves."

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