Following a 2-year investigation, the Associated Press revealed that a large number of former Nazis are and have been collecting US Social Security Benefits.

Following a 2-year investigation, the Associated Press revealed that a large number of former Nazi suspects are and have been collecting US Social Security Benefits.

The exact amount paid out is unknown, but AP estimates put it well over the 1.5 million dollar mark.

It’s said that the payments are a result of the Department of Justice allowing dozens of individuals to take advantage of a legal loophole.

In exchange for the guarantee of continued payments, those who were suspected former Nazis and about to be deported, agreed to leave the US voluntarily.

The Department of Justice has denied the allegations.

Said a spokesperson, "…the department neither used retirement benefits as an inducement to leave the country and renounce citizenship nor threatened that failure to depart and renounce would jeopardize continued receipt of benefits.”

It’s believed that the part of the reasoning behind the alleged deal is that once the suspected war criminals returned to Europe they’d face charges in their home country’s for their acts.

The Associated Press found that in many cases such legal actions never occurred, and the checks from the US continued to roll in.

A son of one such benefit recipient said that the money is legitimately owed to his father, as he paid into the system while working in America.