[ad_1]
A German newspaper revealed important historical links between the Reimann family, the owners of Krispy Kreme and Pret a Manger, and the Nazi party.
The report published in Bild, later confirmed by the family spokesperson, shows that the ancestors of the Reimann family were enthusiastic anti-Semites and loyal supporters of Adolf Hitler. They used Russian civilians and French prisoners of war as forced laborers in their factories.
The report contains poignant details of the treatment of forced labor by the family: slaves, mostly from Eastern Europe, were forced to remain naked in the factory barracks during checks. Those who refused were beaten and badually abused. Other workers were beaten, often by the Reimanns themselves, including a Russian who worked in the Reimann private villa.
In July 1937, Albert Reimann Jrr wrote to Heinrich Himmler, SS leader in charge of the Holocaust, claiming that his company was "a purely Aryan family business over 100 years old," he writes. "The owners are unconditional followers of the race theory."
After Hitler came to power, millions of slaves were forced to work in Nazi factories or in German agriculture without pay. Reimann's enthusiastic support for Nazi racial ideology and personal abuse of workers is particularly shocking.
Reimann Jr. has ambaded a huge fortune, which has been transferred from his company to his nine adopted children, four of whom now control the company. The Reimann family is now the second richest family in Germany with an estimated net worth of 33 billion euros. Through JAB Holding, a private family-owned company, they also hold a controlling stake in Peets Tea and Coffee, Panera Bread and Dr. Pepper.
The source of the revelations seems to be a report commissioned by the family itself, in order to learn more about their ancestors. After discovering the extent of the Nazi ties, the family announced that it would donate $ 11.3 million ($ 8.5 million) to charities, although it has not yet specified which one.
Source link
