Evolve Bank CEO fired after propositioning FBI agent pretending to be a teen boy

Bob Hartheimer, who recently held the position of CEO at Evolve Bank & Trust in Tennessee, has been terminated after being caught in a troubling situation involving an undercover FBI operation. On October 19, an agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation logged onto the dating app Grindr, posing as a 15-year-old boy. Hartheimer, using the username "Tomm," messaged the agent with an inappropriate proposition, asking if there was any chance the teen would meet up with an "older and chill guy." The conversations escalated, with discussions about a potential in-person meeting later in the week. Hartheimer, under the alias "Tomm," even solicited explicit photographs from the agent while sending his own nude image in return. The FBI tracked Hartheimer down using an IP address linked to his Snapchat account and subsequently arrested him on October 23. The charges against him include attempted production of child pornography and transferring obscene material to a minor. Following the revelation of these events, Hartheimer's attorney, Blake Ballin, confirmed that Evolve Bank had severed ties with the CEO. In a statement, he mentioned that Hartheimer's family is aware of the situation and is requesting privacy during this challenging time. The news of Hartheimer's dismissal was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Evolve Bank has faced its share of challenges in recent years, including involvement in the bankruptcy of the fintech startup Synapse, which led to significant financial disruptions. Additionally, the bank experienced a cyberattack in 2024 that compromised customer data, although they opted not to pay the ransom demanded by the hackers. Hartheimer was appointed as CEO in August 2023, following the retirement of Scott Stafford, who had been with the bank since 2004. At the time of his hiring, Evolve Bank highlighted Hartheimer's extensive experience, including his role at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and his consulting work within the fintech sector. However, the bank has reported net losses for multiple quarters in 2025, a stark contrast to its profitability since 2003. The situation has raised concerns about the bank’s stability and future. As this story develops, Evolve Bank has not issued any further public statements regarding Hartheimer's dismissal or the ongoing legal matters.