Good Morning Dinar,
Bank Insider Admits to Nine-Year Scheme Involving Falsified Loan Applications, Faces Up to 30 Years
In a major federal case exposing long-term financial misconduct, a former senior loan officer at Tempo Bank and a construction company owner have both pleaded guilty to a nearly decade-long conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois announced the charges in a press release on Saturday.
Francis Eversman, a former senior loan officer, and Gregg Crawford, a construction business owner, admitted to orchestrating a scheme from 2011 to 2020 that relied on falsified loan applications, straw purchasers, and fake lease agreements in order to misappropriate funds from the bank.
Straw Purchasers and Inflated Properties
According to federal prosecutors, Crawford recruited individuals to serve as straw buyers—borrowers in name only—for properties that were often grossly overvalued. These individuals, who had no intention of owning or occupying the properties, were used to help secure financing under false pretenses.
Eversman, Crawford’s brother-in-law, used his position inside the bank to approve and facilitate these fraudulent loan applications.
Instead of being used for legitimate real estate purchases, the loan funds were diverted by Crawford for other purposes. In an effort to conceal the fraud, he also submitted fabricated lease agreements to create the appearance of rental income from the properties.
Attempt to Mislead Federal Regulators
The fraud came under scrutiny during an audit conducted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. When questions arose about the legitimacy of the loans, Crawford instructed at least one straw purchaser to provide false information to the regulators.
This act of obstruction deepened the government’s case against the pair, showing a deliberate attempt to mislead oversight authorities.
“They Betrayed Public Trust,” Says FBI
Karen Marinos, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the FBI’s Springfield office, underscored the broader implications of the case.
“Every American citizen deserves to walk into their bank and trust the people behind the counter,” Marinos said. “In southern Illinois, these people are usually our neighbors and friends—people we trust with our money and wellbeing. Crawford and Eversman violated that trust for personal gain.”
Sentencing Set for October
Eversman and Crawford are scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2025. Both defendants face:
- Up to 30 years in federal prison
- Five years of supervised release
- Fines of up to $1 million
Their convictions mark another high-profile success for the Justice Department in its efforts to prosecute financial crimes involving abuse of position and systemic deception within U.S. banking institutions.
@ Newshounds News™
Source: DailyHodl
~~~~~~~~~
Bitcoin To Anchor America Party — ‘Fiat Is Hopeless,’ Says Elon Musk
Musk embraces Bitcoin as cornerstone of new political movement amid feud with Trump and fiat backlash
▪️ Elon Musk confirmed that Bitcoin will be backed by the newly formed America Party, stating bluntly: “Fiat is hopeless, so yes.”
▪️ The comment came in response to a follower’s question hours after Musk unveiled the political party on X.
▪️ Bitcoin briefly spiked above $109,000 as crypto Twitter lit up with the billionaire’s endorsement.
Musk Pitches Bitcoin As Political Answer to Fiat Collapse
The exchange, initiated by Brazilian Bitcoiner Renato Lima, follows Musk’s official launch of the America Party, a direct challenge to the Republican and Democratic duopoly. Musk had already framed the party as a force capable of flipping narrow House and Senate races, declaring:
“The America Party is the solution.”
His endorsement of Bitcoin further aligns the party with a hard-money, anti-fiat ethos—a message that resonates with the crypto community’s growing political clout.
Crypto Momentum Grows as Musk Splits With Trump
The timing is no accident. Musk’s move comes amid escalating tensions with President Donald Trump, who recently passed the “Big Beautiful Bill”—a spending package Musk opposes for slashing EV subsidies.
A Musk-led Twitter poll with over 1.25 million participants found that 65% of users support independence from the two-party system. Trump, in turn, called Musk “a train wreck” who’s gone “off the rails.”
The friction marks a clear political shift—and crypto users are mobilizing.
Bitcoiners Rally, but Party Remains Organizationally Bare
Despite viral support, the America Party has no official FEC filings, no leadership structure, and no formal policy platform. An unaffiliated account claiming to represent the party even had to be flagged for impersonation.
Still, Musk’s “Fiat is hopeless” tweet carried more influence than any formal press release. Large crypto accounts boosted the statement, fueling millions of impressions and a brief BTC rally past $109K.
Musk’s History With Bitcoin Strengthens Credibility
Tesla added 11,509 BTC to its balance sheet in 2021, giving Musk real skin in the game. Though the company later sold some holdings and paused Bitcoin payments, the billionaire has maintained a high-profile association with the asset.
His America Party now inherits not only that Bitcoin credibility, but also his broader anti-establishment stance, which increasingly appeals to libertarian and tech-aligned voters.
Political Impact: Could the America Party Become a Crypto Wedge?
While the America Party lacks formal structure, its impact could be immediate, especially if Musk targets battleground districts in 2026. That could split the crypto vote, drawing support away from Trump, who previously won over the sector in 2024.
If Musk fields candidates aligned with Bitcoin policy, it would present a rare political alignment between digital assets and electoral leverage—especially in tightly contested areas.
As of press time, Bitcoin is trading at $109,086.
@ Newshounds News™
Source: Bitcoinist
~~~~~~~~~
Donald Trump Slams Elon Musk’s ‘America Party’ as a GOP-Killing Train Wreck
Musk’s third-party launch sparks fierce Republican backlash ahead of 2026 midterms
▪️ Elon Musk’s launch of the “America Party” drew immediate condemnation from Donald Trump, who warned it could split the GOP and cost Republicans control of Congress.
▪️ The feud was sparked by Musk’s anger over Trump’s $3.3 trillion “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
▪️ Trump called Musk’s party a “train wreck,” accusing him of going “off the rails” in a scathing Truth Social post.
Trump Warns of GOP Vote Split: “The System Is Not Designed for Third Parties”
Trump’s criticism centered on the historical failure of third-party movements in U.S. politics. He cited Ross Perot’s 1992 bid, which won 19% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes, and Jesse Ventura’s brief success with the now-defunct Reform Party.
“The system seems not designed for them,” Trump wrote, emphasizing that third parties only siphon votes from their closest ideological base—in this case, the GOP.
Musk Unleashes America Party After Tax Bill Fallout
Musk’s announcement came shortly after Congress passed Trump’s controversial tax-and-spending bill, a move the Tesla CEO had warned against. Calling it a “disgusting abomination”, Musk blamed it for undermining the mission of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a Trump-era agency he briefly led.
He had previously vowed to launch a political party if the bill passed. When it did, Musk followed through on X, declaring:
“The America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”
Concerns Mount Among Trump Allies Over Party Defections
The growing feud between Trump and Musk has alarmed Republican insiders, especially those in swing districts. Influencer Laura Loomer even speculated that Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie might defect to Musk’s party—a move that could fracture conservative unity.
Republican operatives worry that even a small breakaway faction could hand key seats to Democrats, especially in razor-thin midterm battlegrounds.
Musk’s Strategy: Targeted Disruption, Not a Presidential Run
Rather than running for president, Musk appears to be pursuing a tactical approach, focusing the America Party’s resources on 2–3 Senate races and 8–10 House districts. In today’s hyper-partisan environment, that may be all it takes to reshape legislative control.
“Laser-focus on tight seats,” Musk said, indicating a plan to flip or block just enough to hold leverage in Congress.
While FEC filings for the America Party have surfaced, Musk has confirmed that at least one is fraudulent, leaving questions about the party’s official status and infrastructure. Still, the political threat is real—and growing.
@ Newshounds News™
Source: Coinpedia
~~~~~~~~~
Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble
Newshound’s News Telegram Room Link
Follow the Roadmap
Follow the Timeline
Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website
