The decision of a powerful German family to reveal its Nazi past

One of the richest families in Germany has promised to donate millions of dollars to charities after learning that their ancestors were Nazi followers and used forced labor.

Albert Reimann Sr. and Albert Reimann Jr. used Russian civilians and French prisoners of war as forced laborers, the newspaper reported Sunday Bild.

The family spokesman, Peter Harf, director of the family business, said that an internal investigation had confirmed these findings.

The company that they founded, JAB Holding, is now a giant whose brands range from Clearasil to Calgon. With a wealth estimated at 33,000 million euros, we think that the Reimann family is the second richest in Germany.

The family distinguished itself during Nazism eminent admirers of National Socialism and Adolf Hitler himself. The letters revealed by the Bild newspaper show their willingness to donate to the SS, even in the years preceding the dictator's rise to power.

Subsequently, the company played a crucial role in the war, during the manufacture of war and other products for the German armed forces.

The spokesman said his family had never talked about the Nazi era, but that according to internal documents, his father and son died in 1954 and 1984 ".they should have been in jail"for acts committed during the Holocaust.

In 1943 the company he used up to 175 forced laborers and hired a foreman known for his cruel treatment of workers. The spokesman only said that it was forced labor and not slaves.

Harf added that the family would publish the results of the research and give 10 million euros (just over $ 11 million) for charitable purposes.

JAB is a shareholder in Pret a Manger, Krispy Kreme Donuts, Peet's Coffee and others.

(With information from AP and AFP)