Editing Walther Funk (section)

==Nuremberg==
[[Image:Buchenwald Property 80623.jpg|thumb|right| [[Gold]] [[ring (jewellery)|ring]]s of victims from [[Buchenwald concentration camp]]. Funk as ''Reichsminister'' for the Economy and President of the ''Reichsbank'' accepted the rings from the SS to be melted down.]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R69919, KZ Auschwitz, Brillen.jpg|thumb|right|[[Eyeglasses]] of victims at [[Auschwitz concentration camp]].]]
[[File:Left luggage at Auschwitz I (Oświęcim, Poland 2014) (14342874343).jpg|thumb|right|[[Luggage]] taken from victims at Auschwitz.]]

Funk was tried with other Nazi leaders at the [[Nuremberg trials]]. He was accused by Allied prosecutors of having been closely involved in the state confiscation and disposal of the property of German Jews, of conspiracy to commit [[crimes against peace]], the planning, initiating and waging [[War of aggression|wars of aggression]], [[war crime]]s, and [[crimes against humanity]]. Funk argued that, despite his employment titles, he had very little power in the Nazi regime. He did however, admit to signing the laws that "[[Aryanized]]" Jewish property and in that respect claimed to be "morally guilty". At the Nuremberg trials, American Chief Prosecutor [[Robert H. Jackson]] labeled Funk as "The Banker of Gold Teeth", referring to the practice of extracting [[gold teeth]] from [[Nazi concentration camp]] victims, and forwarding the teeth to the ''Reichsbank'' for melting down to yield [[bullion]]. Many other gold items were stolen from victims, such as [[jewellery]], [[eyeglasses]] and [[finger ring]]s. Other items stolen from the victims included their [[clothing]], [[furniture]], [[artwork]], as well as any wealth in [[stock]]s, [[shares]], [[business]]es and [[companies]]. Such business assets were taken by ''aryanization'' with often large and profitable businesses sold for less than their true worth. The monetary proceeds of [[auction]]s of such assets as furniture were passed to the ''Reichsbank'' in [[Max Heiliger]] accounts for use by the Nazi state or the [[SS]]. Even the hair of the victims was taken by shaving either just before or just after their murder. When clothing was distributed after the victims were shot by the ''[[Einsatzgruppen]]'', blood stains were often visible at and near the bullet holes.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

Funk was clearly distressed during the proceedings and cried during presentation of evidence, such as the murders carried out in the concentration camps, requiring [[sleeping pill]]s at night. Schacht relates that he, Funk and [[Franz von Papen]] formed a close intimate circle at Nuremberg, and that he felt Funk was unable to comprehend the serious nature of the duties which he had undertaken. Schacht believed that there were many matters of which Funk had no knowledge whatsoever and that he gave a poor performance in the [[Courtroom|witness box]].<ref>Schacht, 1955, pp. 455–56.</ref> However, Speer gave a different version of events. He said that when he first came into contact with Funk at Nuremberg "he looked extremely worn and downcast." But "Funk reasoned skillfully and in a way that stirred my pity" in the witness box.<ref>Speer, 1970, pp. 508, 515.</ref>

Göring meanwhile described Funk as "an insignificant subordinate", but documentary evidence and his wartime [[biography]] ''Walther Funk, A Life for the Economy'' were used against him during the trial, leading to his conviction on counts 2, 3 and 4 of the [[indictment]] and his sentence of [[life imprisonment]]. Funk was held at [[Spandau Prison]] along with other [[List of Nazi Party leaders and officials|senior Nazis]].