Bob Hartheimer, CEO of Evolve Bank & Trust in Tennessee, was fired after being caught by the FBI posing as a 15-year-old boy on the dating app Grindr. The investigation began on October 19 when agents discovered a user named “Tom” engaging in inappropriate conversations about meeting and exchanging explicit photos with someone pretending to be a minor. Hartheimer was arrested on October 23, facing charges related to child pornography and obscenity.
Evolve Bank confirmed his termination, stating that its finance chief and general counsel would oversee operations. A spokesperson emphasized that the situation is unrelated to the bank’s operations and noted the family’s request for privacy. Evolve is still recovering from previous issues, including the bankruptcy of fintech startup Synapse, which resulted in significant financial losses for customers, and a cyberattack in 2024 that compromised customer data.
Hartheimer, who took over as CEO in August, was previously regarded for his experience with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and as a regulatory consultant. Evolve, a century-old bank, has faced operational challenges, reporting losses in recent quarters.
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