It started over a cherry 1977 Corvette named Betsy.
"Ever since they took that car, the fight's been on," Denny Hardin says. He's talking to The Pitch by phone from the Moberly Correctional Center, where he's serving the first months of a five-year sentence for a probation violation.
By "they," he means the United States of America.
Hardin didn't plan to wage a one-man war against the government. He was once a loyal citizen; he even served in the Navy in the 1980s. By 1991, he was in his late 20s, divorced from the wife he'd met in Tokyo, and back in his hometown of Kansas City. He began dating a hairdresser named Sherry Lee, who wanted to open her own salon. They found a space and started work on it, sleeping on the floor of the shop when they didn't have enough money to also rent an apartment.
But then they were in a car accident. The insurance company paid out $20,000 for medical bills and the cost of the car.
They spent $7,780 on Betsy. Hardin found the car on the lot of a Raytown Chevrolet dealer. It was in such pristine condition that it was just a thousand dollars less than the original sticker price. A '77 Stingray is one of the most popular Corvette models ever made, the type of car that bikini-wearing models still recline against on the covers of muscle-car magazines.
The rest of the money went to medical bills, but Lee couldn't work. Her hands, which she had relied on to style hair, now shook uncontrollably.
"Then I got laid off from my construction job," Hardin remembers.
"The one good thing we had was Betsy."
For the next few months, money was scarce. One day, a friend of Hardin's from grade school asked if Hardin could help him find some weed. His friend promised that Hardin would make a couple of bucks for setting up the deal.
When they got to the dealer's house, the friend feigned shyness, telling Hardin that because the dealer didn't know him, it was better that he stay in the car while Hardin bought the dope. Hardin went in and bought a half-pound of pot. When he came back out, police arrested him.
"It turned out, that friend had been busted by the cops earlier, and he set me up because he'd made a deal with them to deliver people," Hardin says. He served 120 days and got five years' probation.
Even worse, the cops claimed that the Stingray had been bought with drug money, so they confiscated it.
The next time Hardin saw Betsy, almost a year later, she had been painted up as an ad for the D.A.R.E. program.
Lee eventually left him. He knows that she's in Iowa somewhere, working as a paralegal, but they haven't spoken in years. "When they took Betsy away, that just about destroyed her. Betsy was repayment for almost dying," he says.
"I promised her I'd make up for what they did, and I still keep that promise."
He didn't start right away. Hardin spent the next few years in a crack-smoking stupor, dropping down to 87 pounds before checking himself into a hospital for rehab. As he convalesced, he read history and law books. Eventually, the man who was still three credits short of his associate's degree at Longview Community College was offering legal advice to friends and family. Before long, he learned how to make his own bank.
The Private Bank of Denny Hardin, responsible for writing more than $160 million in bonded promissory notes to borrowers all around the country, is a two-story house on the East Side of Kansas City. Taped to the door is a notice declaring that no foreign agents are allowed to search the premises. Inside, shelf after shelf is filled with accordion folders holding the names and addresses of the people for whom Hardin, with the help of his fiancée, Melinda Harrington, has written bonds.
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I think that too many people focus on Denny's eccentricities. Yes the man is a little different. He is head-strong and determined to win every fight. I have met the man personally. I even asked him to see if his "bank" could pay off a car that my ex-husband defaulted on (which was in my name). Unfortunately, the loan was never paid off.... but I admire him. He may or may not be "right" on every point, but the man is really trying to help others. He did not charge people more than the costs for doing the paperwork involved with writing the bonds. Denny was honestly working for the public "little man", trying to defend the original constitution of the United States. In today's society, the average American is run over by the government and Big Corporate businesses. They can charge you fee on top of fee and run you into the ground even when they are wrong, you have no way to defend yourself against their tyranny. I don't know if Denny's bank is legit. I don't know the laws and rules for those types of things, but I do believe that Denny knows. I also believe that his reputation for being himself, stands to discredit him before he is ever allowed to speak a single word. Maybe if more of these judges actually took the time to look up the laws he is citing and consult a few more reasonable minds, they may find that Denny's interpretation of the laws is correct. I say Good luck to Denny and Melinda and I hope they are able to win this fight. I can't say that I would have the same will to keep it up.
If I say I enjoyed reading this twisted tale and compliment you on your writing, will it post two times and make me look like the other commenters - the phleeboobs who teabag? If so, please readers know that I am well-versed in online forms and only will click one time to submit.
I found this story fascinating, find this man repugnant, and thank you for telling us about him and his fraudulent activities. True Crime can be so much more entertaining than TV crime.
I did not like this man(Denny) when I first met him some 20 odd years ago..He seemed to be selfcentered.
As time passed I relized that he was'nt, it was that the work he did and things he belived in were important to him.
I have followed his procedings the last few years and I was there in the Kangeroo court the day the Judge and his queroos kicked him at every turn,He stated the laws of the Constitution of the United States of America and those of the Constitution of Missouri,which they all were either overruled or dismissed.At one point the Judge even said I go by the laws and codes set in our courts(that was a big clue),as to what was about to take place. I as an observer saw that he was going to be railroaded.Peter came to our home to get info on Denny ie: his time on the drugs that Peter seems to think takes presedence,when we did not have knowledge of ( which Denny made sure of as we had small children) he was finished talking to us, Seems like he was more interested in Kicking Denny some more, then the TRUTH of what the man is about.
IS THERE A PLACE THAT EVEN PRINTS, DISCUSSES, OR EVEN ASKS FOR THE TRUTH ANYMORE?
AS DENNY ALWAYS SAYS "GOD'S WILL BE DONE"
I did not like this man(Denny) when I first met him some 20 odd years ago..He seemed to be selfcentered. As time passed I relized that he was'nt, it was that the work he did and things he belived in were important to him. I have followed his procedings the last few years and I was there in the Kangeroo court the day the Judge and his queroos kicked him at every turn,He stated the laws of the Constitution of the United States of America and those of the Constitution of Missouri,which they all were either overruled or dismissed.At one point the Judge even said I go by the laws and codes set in our courts(that was a big clue),as to what was about to take place. I as an observer saw that he was going to be railroaded.Peter came to our home to get info on Denny ie: his time on the drugs that Peter seems to think takes presedence,when we did not have knowledge of ( which Denny made sure of as we had small children) he was finished talking to us, Seems like he was more interested in Kicking Denny some more, then the TRUTH of what the man is about. IS THERE A PLACE THAT EVEN PRINTS, DISCUSSES, OR EVEN ASKS FOR THE TRUTH ANYMORE? AS DENNY ALWAYS SAYS "GOD'S WILL BE DONE"
Great explanation Melinda if this guy was writing down here or in Boston he would be shot on site looks like he got payed alot of money for fabricating the truth he needs to get off cars and stick to writing the facts. Here we have just another person who has no idea about anything but who knows maybe he was brought up to believe in himself too bad sorry YOUR WRONG. And you talk about his life how about yours who are you to judge anyone your job is to state facts and do investigative work so listen to the real word DO YOUR JOB DO NOT FABRICTE IT Thank You
Great explanation Melinda if this guy was writing down here or in Boston he would be shot on site looks like he got payed alot of money for fabricating the truth he needs to get off cars and stick to writing the facts. Here we have just another person who has no idea about anything but who knows maybe he was brought up to believe in himself too bad sorry YOUR WRONG. And you talk about his life how about yours who are you to judge anyone your job is to state facts and do investigative work so listen to the real word DO YOUR JOB DO NOT FABRICTE IT Thank You
I would like to comment on Mr. Peter Rugg's journalistic abilities and investigative skills. Yes Mr. Hardin spends all day in the law library at the prison helping his fellow inmates, but Mr. Rugg declined to put in his article that it was because Denny was a law clerk and that is his job. Denny did pick up the constitution ONCE in court and read from it but even if chose to hold it above his head; is it not supposed to be the law of the land? Mr. Rugg also failed to mention that the document Mr. Hardin was said to have filed to violate his probation was filed by ME, for my sister who signed the document. Mr. Hardin's signature was no where on the document. Mr. Rugg also failed to mention that the Americans Republic Party is trying to restore constitutional authority back into our courts and Mr. Denny Ray Hardin is an advocate for that party. Mr. Rugg wants the readers to believe he witnessed Mr. Hardins court hearing but the truth is he was not there and all his words are hearsay from biased witnessed. Mr. Rugg fails to mention that criminal complaints have been filed with the United States Department of Justice against these judges that interpret the law to fit their agenda.To view them visit www.Americansrepublicparty.org. I was not surprised by his biased attitude;because he didn't even have the balls to go interview Mr. Hardin face to face because he knew he was going to print a bunch of half truths to try to discredit Mr. Hardin. (�Half a truth is often a great lie.� Benjamin Franklin)Denny has a saying: No one ever kicks a dead dog.And as for his bank; no one to date has been able to prove it is fraudulent. So maybe the press should report the truth and not half truths or lies that may open them up for a future lawsuit. As Denny always says "Gods will be done!" At least Denny and I can look in the mirror and like who we see, can he?
Melinda
If pete would do his job , you know investigate he would have found what I found.
http://americansrepublicparty....
http://americansrepublicparty....
http://americansrepublicparty....
Yes it is the proof that Denny right
sorry Pete you lose again!!
I would like to comment on Mr. Peter Rugg's journalistic abilities and investigative skills. Yes Mr. Hardin spends all day in the law library at the prison helping his fellow inmates, but Mr. Rugg declined to put in his article that it was because Denny was a law clerk and that is his job. Denny did pick up the constitution ONCE in court and read from it but even if chose to hold it above his head; is it not supposed to be the law of the land? Mr. Rugg also failed to mention that the document Mr. Hardin was said to have filed to violate his probation was filed by ME, for my sister who signed the document. Mr. Hardin's signature was no where on the document. Mr. Rugg also failed to mention that the Americans Republic Party is trying to restore constitutional authority back into our courts and Mr. Denny Ray Hardin is an advocate for that party. Mr. Rugg wants the readers to believe he witnessed Mr. Hardins court hearing but the truth is he was not there and all his words are hearsay from biased witnessed. Mr. Rugg fails to mention that criminal complaints have been filed with the United States Department of Justice against these judges that interpret the law to fit their agenda.To view them visit www.Americansrepublicparty.org. I was not surprised by his biased attitude;because he didn't even have the balls to go interview Mr. Hardin face to face because he knew he was going to print a bunch of half truths to try to discredit Mr. Hardin. (“Half a truth is often a great lie.” Benjamin Franklin)Denny has a saying: No one ever kicks a dead dog.And as for his bank; no one to date has been able to prove it is fraudulent. So maybe the press should report the truth and not half truths or lies that may open them up for a future lawsuit. As Denny always says "Gods will be done!" At least Denny and I can look in the mirror and like who we see, can he? Melinda
If pete would do his job , you know investigate he would have found what I found. http://americansrepublicparty.org/attachments/File/030110_wahler_indictment.pdf http://americansrepublicparty.org/attachments/File/030110_wahler_dismissal_indictment.pdf http://americansrepublicparty.org/attachments/File/030110_wahler_verdict.pdf Yes it is the proof that Denny right sorry Pete you lose again!!
First of all, I've never heard of Crapitol Federal (I'm not in the Midwest); but it is clear if we lived in a Sane Society, the principals of that bank would be the ones writing letters from prison. These Freakin' bankers are the SCUM of the world.
It is also clear that Hardin has points. It is a shame he can't get to a higher court. He may have some of his convictions overturned on appeal. The average judge and prosecutor (the average attorney, period) doesn't know the basis for the law they claim to represent. Hardin's a hero. Trying to help normal Americans without asking for money in return. I wish him the very best. And the bankers and lawyers and politicians the very WORST.
First of all, I've never heard of Crapitol Federal (I'm not in the Midwest); but it is clear if we lived in a Sane Society, the principals of that bank would be the ones writing letters from prison. These Freakin' bankers are the SCUM of the world. It is also clear that Hardin has points. It is a shame he can't get to a higher court. He may have some of his convictions overturned on appeal. The average judge and prosecutor (the average attorney, period) doesn't know the basis for the law they claim to represent. Hardin's a hero. Trying to help normal Americans without asking for money in return. I wish him the very best. And the bankers and lawyers and politicians the very WORST.
Another indication of the "Big Boys" eating up the Little Guy for trying to circumvent their hold on the economic. This story only revals how "connections" in government and legal systems always leans toward the rich and powerful in this country. Try getting some justice in Wyandotte county if you are not "connected"!
Another indication of the "Big Boys" eating up the Little Guy for trying to circumvent their hold on the economic. This story only revals how "connections" in government and legal systems always leans toward the rich and powerful in this country. Try getting some justice in Wyandotte county if you are not "connected"!
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