Nazi Expansion in America
In 1933, after Adolf Hitler assumed power in Germany, Nazi agents arrived in the United States. Officials established the Friends of New Germany, later known as the German American Bund, to promote Nazi ideas. Public rallies were held in Los Angeles, and gatherings took place at venues such as Deutsche Haus in downtown Los Angeles.
Leon Lewis and the Spy Ring
Leon Lewis, a Jewish lawyer and World War I veteran, worked as the founding executive secretary of the Anti-Defamation League. He monitored the growth of fascist activities and assembled a network of German-American veterans. This group gathered intelligence on Nazi efforts aimed at inciting violence and recruiting sympathizers in Southern California.
Disrupting Dangerous Plans
Lewis’s spies uncovered detailed plots, including plans to assassinate prominent Hollywood figures and launch attacks in Jewish neighborhoods. The intelligence was passed on to local law enforcement and the FBI. The network operated until 1945, providing factual information on Nazi operations in Los Angeles.
A covert spy network in 1930s Los Angeles fought deadly Nazi plots. While hate-filled groups rallied, one Jewish lawyer and WWI veteran built an undercover operation to expose their plans. Read on for the true story.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/luN6CUo518
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 5, 2025