A fact-checker for the New Yorker falsely accused a combat wounded Marine veteran of having a Nazi tattoo.
Justin Gaertner, who works for ICE as a computer forensics analyst, was accused of having the Nazi's Iron Cross inked on his elbow.
Lavin later shamelessly deleted her post after military veterans informed her that the tattoo looked more like a Maltese cross, a symbol associated with firefighters. Lavin's twitter account is now private.
Gaertner's tattoo is actually a "Titan 2" symbol for his platoon when he served in Afghanistan.
“The writing on his right arm is the Spartan Creed which is about protecting family and children,” ICE said. “Anyone attempting to advance their personal political opinions by baselessly slandering an American hero should be issuing public apologies to Mr. Gaertner and retractions. This includes Levin and the New Yorker.”
The New Yorker issued an apology Monday after officials with ICE demanded the New Yorker and Talia Lavin apologize over her slandering tweet.
“The New Yorker has just learned that a staff member erroneously made a derogatory assumption about ICE agent Justin Gaertner’s tattoo. The personal social-media accounts of staff members do not represent the magazine, and we in no way share the viewpoint expressed in this tweet,” a spokesperson said. “The tweet has been deleted, and we deeply regret any harm that this may have caused Mr. Gaertner.”
Gaertner helps the immigration agency with solving criminal cases related to sexually abused children.