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New Statesman
15-07-2025
- Health
- New Statesman
I'm on Mounjaro, and not afraid to say it
My weight has often fluctuated, but the last time anyone might have described me as 'slim' was sometime during the George H. W. Bush presidency. My mother, who loves me very much, maintains that the problem is that I eat dinner too late. Would that it were: the problem is that I really like food. I've always comfort eaten in times of trouble . Being overweight has rarely held me back. I've suffered neither health problems nor social stigma. (Men have it easier.) I walk long distances, cycle everywhere, even frequent a gym, and have been known to snap 'I'm not sedentary!' at helpful doctors offering me pamphlets on the benefits of moving about. But I am cursed with the vanity of a much slimmer man. It had come to upset me that my face had expanded; that clothes had ceased to fit, and photographs become a source of stress. Around 2013, I'd lost a load of weight doing '5:2' (tldr: starve yourself until your brain ceases to function, but only twice a week); but that worked solely because I had a job with a predictable rhythm and, bluntly, because I was still in my early 30s. Older, as a freelancer living alone, I'd never quite managed it a second time. 'If you were going to do it again,' one friend gently suggested, 'I think you'd have done it by now.' And so, shortly after Christmas, I joined the latest viral health trend. I googled 'Mounjaro' (better than Ozempic, I'd been told), braved the scales, and sent the least flattering photograph I could take to a private online pharmacy. I've since lost somewhere upwards of two stone. The critics of drugs such as Mounjaro – and there are a lot – would suggest that this method of weight loss is, effectively, cheating. What's wrong with lifestyle changes? they ask, frequently and on public forums. What's wrong with discipline? This is a line that I suspect it is only possible to take if you are not cursed with one of a number of invisible problems. A metabolism convinced it needs to cling onto calories, in case of some unforeseen crisis; a body chemistry that tells you, constantly and in all situations, to eat ('food noise'); a psychological history that's created an unbreakable link between food and happiness. It's difficult to reduce your dependence on anything to which you're addicted – but at least those addicted to drugs aren't inevitably exposed to them multiple times a day for the rest of their lives. I'm not convinced that's all that's going on there. At least some of those critics, I think, have invested a lot in the idea that others are bad and weak, while they are good and strong. The idea that an overactive appetite might be a moral failing rather than a matter of biology is, for some people, a source of self esteem, not to mention an opportunity for socially sanctioned bullying. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Which is why, I suspect, there's an odd code of silence around the use of the drugs. The treatments have, effectively, gone viral: I started because I'd seen what they'd done for friends; others have since started, because they've seen what they did for me. Many people, though, prefer not to talk about it. That's their choice, but – well, bugger that. I'm on it, I've had blessedly few side effects, and I feel absolutely no shame about any of it. And it's worked. I still enjoy food: I just want less of it, and find it easier to make good choices. As the friend who first suggested it put it: 'The jabs are my willpower.' The result is that I'm down 16kg (35lbs) and counting without feeling I'm denying myself. Clothes I've not worn in a decade suddenly fit. My cheekbones, last seen before the pandemic, are back. And the other week, I walked into my therapist's office after a two week absence, and she said I was looking slim – which, bluntly, is the best thing a therapist has ever said to me. Ahh, those critics add as final volley, but when you get off the jabs you'll just put the weight back on. This is potentially a problem. It is, however, a problem that applies to literally any diet or exercise regime ever invented. The new treatments are arguably under-regulated; they're certainly not cheap, if you're not in the small group placed on them by the NHS, and it's unfair that right now, access is often dependent on money. But they are, nonetheless, good. The same cannot be said of the widespread impulse to get your kicks from fat shaming strangers. That isn't good at all. [See more: What Conservatives get wrong about London] Related
11-07-2025
- Business
Federal officials say Georgia Republican was running a $140 million Ponzi scheme
NEWNAN, Ga. -- A prominent Georgia Republican was running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 300 investors of at least $140 million, federal officials alleged in a complaint filed Thursday. The civil lawsuit by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said First Liberty Building and Loan, controlled by Brant Frost IV, lied to investors about its business of making high-interest loans to companies. Instead, investigators said, it raised more money to repay earlier investors. Frost is alleged to have taken more than $19 million of investor funds for himself, his family and affiliated companies even as the business was going broke, spending $160,000 on jewelry and $335,000 with a rare coin dealer. Frost is also said to have spent $320,000 to rent a vacation home over multiple years in Kennebunkport, Maine, the town where the family of late president George H. W. Bush famously spent summers. The SEC said Frost kept writing checks even after the commission began its investigation First Liberty said last month that it would stop making loans and paying interest and principal to investors in those loans. The company said it was not answering phone calls or emails. First Liberty has not responded to an email seeking comment, and no one was present at its office Thursday evening in Newnan, a suburb southwest of Atlanta. A lawyer who acts as the company's registered agent for corporate purposes said earlier that he had no information. The collapse rocked the religious and political networks that the business drew investors from. It also could have ramifications in state Republican politics, cutting off funding to the far-right candidates that Frost and his family have favored. Investigators said Frost spent $570,000 from investor funds on political contributions. The SEC said the business had only $2.67 million in cash as of May 30, although regulators are also seeking to claw back money from Frost and associated companies. With 300 investors out $140 million, that means the average investor put in nearly $500,000. First Liberty said it made loans to companies that needed cash while they waited for more conventional loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. It charged high rates of interest — 18% on some loans, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. First Liberty promised investors equally high rates of return — 16% on the 18% loans. In recent months the business advertised heavily on conservative radio shows promising 'Wall Street returns for Main Street investors.' 'The promise of a high rate of return on an investment is a red flag that should make all potential investors think twice or maybe even three times before investing their money,' Justin C. Jeffries, associate director of enforcement for the SEC's Atlanta Regional Office, said in a statement. The company has represented that it is 'cooperating with federal authorities as part of an effort to accomplish an orderly wind-up of the business.' The SEC said Frost and his companies agreed to the SEC's enforcement actions 'with monetary remedies to be determined by the court at a later date.' While the SEC says there were loans to companies, as many as 90% of those companies have defaulted. By 2021 the company was running as a Ponzi scheme, the complaint said, even as Frost withdrew increasing amounts of money. The business is being investigated by the Georgia secretary of state for possible violations of securities law said Robert Sinners, a spokesperson for the office. A 2023 document obtained by the AP is titled as a 'promissory note,' and Sinners said anyone issuing promissory notes is supposed to be registered with Georgia securities officials. Sinners encouraged any victims to contact the state Securities Division. Federal prosecutors have declined to comment on whether they are considering criminal charges. Sometimes both an SEC civil case and a federal criminal case are filed over investment frauds. Frost has been an important player in Georgia politics since 1988, when he coordinated televangelist Pat Robertson's Republican presidential bid in the state. His son, Brant Frost V, is chairman of the Coweta County Republican Party, where the company is based, and is a former second vice-chair of the state Republican Party. Daughter Katie Frost is Republican chairman of the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Coweta County and other areas southwest of Atlanta. Josh McKoon. Delegates followed that recommendation, rejecting a number of insurgent candidates.
11-07-2025
- Business
Federal officials say a prominent Georgia Republican was running a $140 million Ponzi scheme
NEWNAN, Ga. -- A prominent Georgia Republican was running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 300 investors of at least $140 million, federal officials alleged in a complaint filed Thursday. The civil lawsuit by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said First Liberty Building and Loan, controlled by Brant Frost IV, lied to investors about its business of making high-interest loans to companies. Instead, investigators said, it raised more money to repay earlier investors. Frost is alleged to have taken more than $19 million of investor funds for himself, his family and affiliated companies even as the business was going broke, spending $160,000 on jewelry and $335,000 with a rare coin dealer. Frost is also said to have spent $320,000 to rent a vacation home over multiple years in Kennebunkport, Maine, the town where the family of late president George H. W. Bush famously spent summers. The SEC said Frost kept writing checks even after the commission began its investigation First Liberty said last month that it would stop making loans and paying interest and principal to investors in those loans. The company said it was not answering phone calls or emails. First Liberty has not responded to an email seeking comment, and no one was present at its office Thursday evening in Newnan, a suburb southwest of Atlanta. A lawyer who acts as the company's registered agent for corporate purposes said earlier that he had no information. The collapse rocked the religious and political networks that the business drew investors from. It also could have ramifications in state Republican politics, cutting off funding to the far-right candidates that Frost and his family have favored. Investigators said Frost spent $570,000 from investor funds on political contributions. The SEC said the business had only $2.67 million in cash as of May 30, although regulators are also seeking to claw back money from Frost and associated companies. With 300 investors out $140 million, that means the average investor put in nearly $500,000. First Liberty said it made loans to companies that needed cash while they waited for more conventional loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. It charged high rates of interest — 18% on some loans, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. First Liberty promised investors equally high rates of return — 16% on the 18% loans. In recent months the business advertised heavily on conservative radio shows promising 'Wall Street returns for Main Street investors.' 'The promise of a high rate of return on an investment is a red flag that should make all potential investors think twice or maybe even three times before investing their money,' Justin C. Jeffries, associate director of enforcement for the SEC's Atlanta Regional Office, said in a statement. The company has represented that it is 'cooperating with federal authorities as part of an effort to accomplish an orderly wind-up of the business.' The SEC said Frost and his companies agreed to the SEC's enforcement actions 'with monetary remedies to be determined by the court at a later date.' While the SEC says there were loans to companies, as many as 90% of those companies have defaulted. By 2021 the company was running as a Ponzi scheme, the complaint said, even as Frost withdrew increasing amounts of money. The business is being investigated by the Georgia secretary of state for possible violations of securities law said Robert Sinners, a spokesperson for the office. A 2023 document obtained by the AP is titled as a 'promissory note,' and Sinners said anyone issuing promissory notes is supposed to be registered with Georgia securities officials. Sinners encouraged any victims to contact the state Securities Division. Federal prosecutors have declined to comment on whether they are considering criminal charges. Sometimes both an SEC civil case and a federal criminal case are filed over investment frauds. Frost has been an important player in Georgia politics since 1988, when he coordinated televangelist Pat Robertson's Republican presidential bid in the state. His son, Brant Frost V, is chairman of the Coweta County Republican Party, where the company is based, and is a former second vice-chair of the state Republican Party. Daughter Katie Frost is Republican chairman of the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Coweta County and other areas southwest of Atlanta. At last month's state Republican convention, Katie Frost chaired a nominating committee that recommended delegates reelect state Party Chairman Josh McKoon. Delegates followed that recommendation, rejecting a number of insurgent candidates.
San Francisco Chronicle
11-07-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Federal officials say a prominent Georgia Republican was running a $140 million Ponzi scheme
NEWNAN, Ga. (AP) — A prominent Georgia Republican was running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 300 investors of at least $140 million, federal officials alleged in a complaint filed Thursday. The civil lawsuit by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said First Liberty Building and Loan, controlled by Brant Frost IV, lied to investors about its business of making high-interest loans to companies. Instead, investigators said, it raised more money to repay earlier investors. Frost is alleged to have taken more than $19 million of investor funds for himself, his family and affiliated companies even as the business was going broke, spending $160,000 on jewelry and $335,000 with a rare coin dealer. Frost is also said to have spent $320,000 to rent a vacation home over multiple years in Kennebunkport, Maine, the town where the family of late president George H. W. Bush famously spent summers. The SEC said Frost kept writing checks even after the commission began its investigation First Liberty said last month that it would stop making loans and paying interest and principal to investors in those loans. The company said it was not answering phone calls or emails. First Liberty has not responded to an email seeking comment, and no one was present at its office Thursday evening in Newnan, a suburb southwest of Atlanta. A lawyer who acts as the company's registered agent for corporate purposes said earlier that he had no information. The collapse rocked the religious and political networks that the business drew investors from. It also could have ramifications in state Republican politics, cutting off funding to the far-right candidates that Frost and his family have favored. Investigators said Frost spent $570,000 from investor funds on political contributions. The SEC said the business had only $2.67 million in cash as of May 30, although regulators are also seeking to claw back money from Frost and associated companies. With 300 investors out $140 million, that means the average investor put in nearly $500,000. First Liberty said it made loans to companies that needed cash while they waited for more conventional loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. It charged high rates of interest — 18% on some loans, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. First Liberty promised investors equally high rates of return — 16% on the 18% loans. In recent months the business advertised heavily on conservative radio shows promising 'Wall Street returns for Main Street investors.' 'The promise of a high rate of return on an investment is a red flag that should make all potential investors think twice or maybe even three times before investing their money,' Justin C. Jeffries, associate director of enforcement for the SEC's Atlanta Regional Office, said in a statement. The company has represented that it is 'cooperating with federal authorities as part of an effort to accomplish an orderly wind-up of the business.' The SEC said Frost and his companies agreed to the SEC's enforcement actions 'with monetary remedies to be determined by the court at a later date.' While the SEC says there were loans to companies, as many as 90% of those companies have defaulted. By 2021 the company was running as a Ponzi scheme, the complaint said, even as Frost withdrew increasing amounts of money. The business is being investigated by the Georgia secretary of state for possible violations of securities law said Robert Sinners, a spokesperson for the office. A 2023 document obtained by the AP is titled as a 'promissory note,' and Sinners said anyone issuing promissory notes is supposed to be registered with Georgia securities officials. Sinners encouraged any victims to contact the state Securities Division. Federal prosecutors have declined to comment on whether they are considering criminal charges. Sometimes both an SEC civil case and a federal criminal case are filed over investment frauds. Frost has been an important player in Georgia politics since 1988, when he coordinated televangelist Pat Robertson's Republican presidential bid in the state. His son, Brant Frost V, is chairman of the Coweta County Republican Party, where the company is based, and is a former second vice-chair of the state Republican Party. Daughter Katie Frost is Republican chairman of the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Coweta County and other areas southwest of Atlanta. At last month's state Republican convention, Katie Frost chaired a nominating committee that recommended delegates reelect state Party Chairman Josh McKoon. Delegates followed that recommendation, rejecting a number of insurgent candidates.
Winnipeg Free Press
11-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Federal officials say a prominent Georgia Republican was running a $140 million Ponzi scheme
NEWNAN, Ga. (AP) — A prominent Georgia Republican was running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 300 investors of at least $140 million, federal officials alleged in a complaint filed Thursday. The civil lawsuit by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said First Liberty Building and Loan, controlled by Brant Frost IV, lied to investors about its business of making high-interest loans to companies. Instead, investigators said, it raised more money to repay earlier investors. Frost is alleged to have taken more than $19 million of investor funds for himself, his family and affiliated companies even as the business was going broke, spending $160,000 on jewelry and $335,000 with a rare coin dealer. Frost is also said to have spent $320,000 to rent a vacation home over multiple years in Kennebunkport, Maine, the town where the family of late president George H. W. Bush famously spent summers. The SEC said Frost kept writing checks even after the commission began its investigation First Liberty said last month that it would stop making loans and paying interest and principal to investors in those loans. The company said it was not answering phone calls or emails. First Liberty has not responded to an email seeking comment, and no one was present at its office Thursday evening in Newnan, a suburb southwest of Atlanta. A lawyer who acts as the company's registered agent for corporate purposes said earlier that he had no information. The collapse rocked the religious and political networks that the business drew investors from. It also could have ramifications in state Republican politics, cutting off funding to the far-right candidates that Frost and his family have favored. Investigators said Frost spent $570,000 from investor funds on political contributions. The SEC said the business had only $2.67 million in cash as of May 30, although regulators are also seeking to claw back money from Frost and associated companies. With 300 investors out $140 million, that means the average investor put in nearly $500,000. First Liberty said it made loans to companies that needed cash while they waited for more conventional loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. It charged high rates of interest — 18% on some loans, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. First Liberty promised investors equally high rates of return — 16% on the 18% loans. In recent months the business advertised heavily on conservative radio shows promising 'Wall Street returns for Main Street investors.' 'The promise of a high rate of return on an investment is a red flag that should make all potential investors think twice or maybe even three times before investing their money,' Justin C. Jeffries, associate director of enforcement for the SEC's Atlanta Regional Office, said in a statement. The company has represented that it is 'cooperating with federal authorities as part of an effort to accomplish an orderly wind-up of the business.' The SEC said Frost and his companies agreed to the SEC's enforcement actions 'with monetary remedies to be determined by the court at a later date.' While the SEC says there were loans to companies, as many as 90% of those companies have defaulted. By 2021 the company was running as a Ponzi scheme, the complaint said, even as Frost withdrew increasing amounts of money. The business is being investigated by the Georgia secretary of state for possible violations of securities law said Robert Sinners, a spokesperson for the office. A 2023 document obtained by the AP is titled as a 'promissory note,' and Sinners said anyone issuing promissory notes is supposed to be registered with Georgia securities officials. Sinners encouraged any victims to contact the state Securities Division. Federal prosecutors have declined to comment on whether they are considering criminal charges. Sometimes both an SEC civil case and a federal criminal case are filed over investment frauds. Frost has been an important player in Georgia politics since 1988, when he coordinated televangelist Pat Robertson's Republican presidential bid in the state. His son, Brant Frost V, is chairman of the Coweta County Republican Party, where the company is based, and is a former second vice-chair of the state Republican Party. Daughter Katie Frost is Republican chairman of the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Coweta County and other areas southwest of Atlanta. At last month's state Republican convention, Katie Frost chaired a nominating committee that recommended delegates reelect state Party Chairman Josh McKoon. Delegates followed that recommendation, rejecting a number of insurgent candidates.
