" Former " Savings and Loan Commissioner William Henry Crawford called Charles Keating a " con man " who relied on lies and bought political influence . He used both to deceive and intimidate state regulators . The U.S. took over his scandel - plagued Lincoln Savings and Loan of Irvine , California in 1933 . Wall, who previously headed the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, is under fire for not acting on a recommendation by regional regulators to seize Lincoln in 1987. Associates who knew Keating say that he was a dominant figure who believed that he was above the law . Keating certainly was aware of his own misdeeds in the high roller world of acquisitions , money shifting and illegal pay - offs to politicians . He used the latter and a staff of lawyers to protect his financial empire .
" Former " Savings and Loan Commissioner William Henry Crawford called Charles Keating a " con man " who relied on lies and bought political influence . He used both to deceive and intimidate state regulators . The U.S. took over his scandel - plagued Lincoln Savings and Loan of Irvine , California in 1933 . Associates who knew Keating say that he was a dominant figure who believed that he was above the law . Keating certainly was aware of his own misdeeds in the high roller world of acquisitions , money shifting and illegal pay - offs to politicians . He used the latter and a staff of lawyers to protect his financial empire .