DISCLOSURE: DUNSMOOR LAW IS CLOSED AS OF NOVEMBER 2, 2023. SEE DUNSMOOR.IO THIS INFORMATION IS TO PROTECT THE INVESTING PUBLIC. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE IS LEGAL, FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVICE.
TL;DR: Cal Evans of Gresham International appears to be using Medium.com to overwhelm search results with self-praising content, likely to obscure negative reports about his questionable activities in the cryptocurrency space. This involves releasing numerous shallow articles clearly created by artificial intelligence, which fail to address serious allegations against him, including involvement in scams and misrepresentation of his qualifications. This tactic is a misguided attempt at reputation management that further damages his credibility. The article underscores the importance of due diligence and critical thinking, particularly in the crypto industry.
Update December 2, 2024: All 70+ AI-generated articles removed from Medium.com (See https://medium.com/@calevansgreshaminternational and PART ZERO: Cal Evans of Gresham International is the Crypto Con Lawyer* – A Comprehensive Overview of the Articles & Evidence Presented, https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/11/05/part-0-cal-evans-of-gresham-international-is-the-crypto-con-lawyer-a-comprehensive-overview-of-evidence-presented/)
I. Cal Evans’ Attempt to Bury Negative Search Results: A Case Study in Crypto Reputation Management
In the world of online reputation management, it’s not uncommon for individuals or organizations facing negative publicity to attempt to bury unfavorable search results. This tactic involves creating and promoting positive content to push down negative articles in search engine rankings, making them less visible to users. A perfect example of this is Cal Evans of Gresham International employing this strategy to minimize the impact of recent exposés about his questionable practices and credentials.
My series of articles on Cal Evans and Gresham International has shed light on numerous red flags and concerns surrounding their activities in the cryptocurrency space. From his involvement with scams like Giza ICO (https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/05/28/part-i-cal-evans-of-gresham-international-is-a-scammer/) and Aubit/Freeway (https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/06/14/part-v-responding-to-cal-evans-the-fraudulent-lawyer-threatening-the-crypto-industry/) to his false claims about qualifications, awards (https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/06/28/part-vi-cal-evans-publishings-are-all-lies-very-sketchy-and-or-cannot-be-found/), and being referred for criminal investigation in Wisconsin (https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/06/11/part-iv-evans-receives-a-criminal-referral-from-the-supreme-court-of-wisconsin/), all this evidence presented paints a troubling picture of an individual and organization more concerned with self-promotion than ethical and legal conduct.
II. Cal Evans, Gresham International, and Flooding Medium with Self-Praising Content
In response to these exposés, it appears that Evans has embarked on a campaign to flood search results with positive content on free blog sites like Medium.com about himself and Gresham International. A quick search for “Cal Evans Gresham International” on a platform like Medium reveals a series of articles published within a short timeframe, all presenting Evans in a glowing light. Titles such as “Cal Evans, Gresham International Lawyer, on Legal Challenges in the Cryptocurrency Space” and “Inside the Legal Strategies of Cal Evans, Renowned Lawyer at Gresham International” suggest an effort to drown out the negative coverage.
Notice how “Gresham International” and “Cal Evans” are included in nearly every article title? He’s trying his best to carpet bomb Google with nonsense.
III. Red Flags in Evans’ Medium Articles
However, because my articles aren’t nonsense and upon closer inspection, several red flags emerge with these articles:
1. The articles are published under the generic author name “Cal Evans Gresham International,” rather than credible media outlet and does not use his previous Medium account where he claims to have invented something called the “Hybrid Token” presumably because it was published on December 2, 2018 and he was not licensed by anyone until April 26, 2019.
(Source: The Hybrid Token Offering, Cal Evans, December 2, 2018, https://medium.com/@calevanscrypto/the-hybrid-token-offering-95615239d639 and CILEX Directory: https://cilexportal.cilexgroup.org.uk/CILEX-Directory?query=2ED788056A58C3DAD1FA7289B302577A198EB0B51CD04E6A8AA29623E6E639E7047101A556948E33)
2. The content of the articles is vague and lacks substance, focusing more on promoting Evans’ supposed expertise than providing genuine insights into cryptocurrency law.
3. The rapid succession of these articles, published within days or even hours of each other, suggests a coordinated effort to manipulate search rankings rather than a natural flow of news and information. (Though it should be noted that he is trying to be on every new article he can pay for with his commentary. I haven’t decided to dox those companies just yet as I am awaiting their response.)
4. The articles do not address or engage with the specific allegations and evidence presented in our exposés about Evans’ misconduct, such as his involvement with scams or his false claims about his qualifications and awards.
5. I presume we all should be happy it’s at least not one of the many pay-to-play news articles (https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/06/28/part-vi-cal-evans-publishings-are-all-lies-very-sketchy-and-or-cannot-be-found/).
This apparent attempt to bury negative content is a common tactic employed by those seeking to manage their online reputation. By creating a flood of positive articles, they aim to push down critical pieces in search results. This makes it less likely for potential clients or partners to encounter the damaging information.
However, this approach is ultimately a short-sighted and ineffective solution. Astute readers and researchers should quickly identify the patterns of self-promotion and the lack of credibility in the newly published articles and know this person is trying to bury something online.
Moreover, the failure to address the substantive issues raised in my exposés only serves to reinforce the impression that Evans and Gresham International have something to hide.
IV. The Ineffectiveness of Content Flooding
This isn’t the first time he’s tried this approach to make himself look better with a puff piece on the world stage. In 2022, he praised Bermuda while claiming to be “a leading crypto lawyer” despite having only been licensed by CILEX since April 26, 2019.
See, Lawyer praises Bermuda’s regulatory approach to fintech, Oct 28, 2022, https://www.royalgazette.com/technology/business/article/20221028/lawyer-praises-bermudas-regulatory-approach-to-fintech/)
However the comment section knew that didn’t add up:
I encourage our readers to explore the articles we have published on Cal Evans and Gresham International (https://dunsmoorlaw.com/category/ourlegalblog/) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and what a fraud Cal Evans of Gresham International really is. By delving into the evidence and analysis presented, readers can make informed decisions about the trustworthiness and credibility of those operating within the cryptocurrency space and use this information to perform due diligence on other actors in this space.
V. Always Explore the Full Story
In the age of digital due diligence, it is crucial for individuals and organizations to be transparent and accountable for their actions. Attempting to bury negative content through manipulative tactics only undermines trust and credibility in the long run. Instead of engaging in futile efforts to suppress unfavorable information, those facing legitimate criticism should focus on addressing the concerns head-on, taking responsibility for their missteps, and demonstrating a commitment to ethical conduct moving forward.
As the cryptocurrency industry continues to mature and face increased regulatory scrutiny, market participants must prioritize integrity and transparency. Engaging in deceptive practices, whether in the form of misleading clients, exaggerating qualifications, or attempting to manipulate online information, only serves to erode confidence in the sector as a whole.
VI. The Importance of Transparency in the Crypto Industry
By shining a light on Cal Evans’ apparent attempts to bury negative articles, I aim to emphasize the importance of thorough due diligence and critical thinking when evaluating information online. As the saying goes, “sunlight is the best disinfectant,” and by exposing these tactics, I hope to encourage a more honest and accountable ecosystem, especially within the cryptocurrency space. And remember this maxim: if they lie about easily verifiable things like their LSAT score, then they will lie about anything (https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/07/26/understanding-basic-due-diligence-lsat-lnat-admissions-exams/).
VII. Key Takeaways for Conducting Due Diligence
Based on the analysis of Cal Evans and Gresham International’s Medium articles and his flagrant attempt to influence search results, here are some key takeaways for conducting basic due diligence:
1. Be cautious of individuals or organizations attempting to bury negative information by flooding search results with positive content, especially on free blog sites or platforms.
2. Evaluate the credibility of articles and content by examining the author’s identity, the substance of the content, and the timing of publication.
3. Be aware that a lack of addressing specific allegations or evidence of misconduct in positive content may indicate an attempt to hide or avoid addressing issues.
4. Conduct thorough research by exploring multiple sources, including exposé articles or critical pieces, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand.
5. In the digital age, prioritize transparency and accountability, as attempting to manipulate online information can undermine trust and credibility.
6. As industries mature and face increased regulatory scrutiny, participants must emphasize integrity and transparency to maintain confidence in the sector.
7. If someone lies about easily verifiable information, consider it a red flag and approach their other claims with heightened skepticism, emphasizing the importance of thorough due diligence and critical thinking.