Robert “Bob” Hartheimer has been fired from his position as chief govt officer of Evolve Bank after he tried to fulfill a 15-year-old boy for intercourse.
Robert Hartheimer has been fired as CEO of Evolve Bank.
How it started
According to a CNBC report, on October 19, an undercover FBI agent logged into Grindr pretending to be a 15-year-old boy.
A person referred to as “Tomm” — later revealed to be Hartheimer — messaged the ‘boy’ and ultimately despatched him an express {photograph} after exchanging a number of texts.
“Hey any probability u would hu with an older and chill man,” ‘Tomm’ requested the FBI agent posing as a teen on Grindr, in response to an affidavit that was unsealed on Tuesday.
The two spoke about assembly in particular person and likewise moved their dialog to Snapchat, the place they mentioned intercourse acts they could carry out.
Hartheimer requested the boy for {a photograph} with out shorts on, and despatched him certainly one of himself bare. “Do u wish to commerce nudes?” the CEO of Evolve Bank requested the ‘boy’, in response to the affidavit.
The FBI was in a position to hint the account of Tomm to Bob Hartheimer.
Arrest and costs
Hartheimer was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee on October 23. He has been charged with tried manufacturing of kid pornography and switch of obscene materials to a minor, in response to a warrant.
People acquainted with the matter advised the Wall Street Journal that FBI brokers in bulletproof vests arrested Hartheimer at Evolve Bank’s headquarters in Memphis on October 23.
Blake Ballin, a lawyer representing Hartheimer, advised CNBC on Saturday that he had been fired from his place as CEO of Evolve Bank & Trust. Evolve confirmed this.
“Bob’s household is conscious of the costs,” Ballin stated. “His household loves and helps him and requests privateness throughout this tough interval of their lives. We haven’t any additional remark right now.”
Eric Helvie, a spokesman for Evolve, additionally confirmed that Hartheimer has been fired.
“We are in shut contact with the US Attorney’s workplace and have been assured that this can be a private matter and doesn’t relate to the Bank or its operations in any means,” Helvie stated, in response to the Wall Street Journal. “That stated, we’ve provided our full cooperation as they examine.”
