Monia pleads guilty to 9 counts of financial exploitation of elderly; dealings with murderer Joseph clarified

Keith Lars Monia, 55, of Cape Girardeau pleaded guilty Tuesday to nine counts of financial exploitation of the elderly and stealing by deceit.

Nine victims were represented in those charges; they trusted Monia to invest amounts from $10,000 to $120,000 from 2007 through 2013. Monia pleaded guilty to stealing $517,500 total.

Five of the counts originated in Cape Girardeau County — four of financial exploitation of the elderly and one of stealing by deceit — while the other four originally were filed in Scott County but were moved to Cape Girardeau County on a change of venue.

The Cape Girardeau charges are Class B felonies that normally carry a sentence from five to 15 years in prison.

Two of the Scott County charges were Class B felony financial exploitation of the elderly, while the other two were Class A felonies that carry a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years to life.

As a part of the plea agreement, the maximum sentence Monia will face is 30 years in prison, Judge Benjamin Lewis said.

Monia’s sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in Jackson.

Paul Bollinger wrote Monia a check for $80,000 to invest in an American Equity Annuity plan in August 2007, according to a probable-cause statement from Gregrey Martin of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Special Investigations Unit.

Monia went back to Bollinger in September 2007 with a check written to Bollinger from American Equity, Martin wrote.

Monia gave an excuse for why the money was returned, but Bollinger later discovered the investment did not go through because Monia’s license as an insurance producer had been denied, according to the statement.

Monia then convinced Bollinger to take out an annuity with Washington National Insurance Co., Martin wrote.

“You kept the money for yourself?” Lewis asked, and Monia affirmed during the plea.

Carolyn Seabaugh wrote Monia a check for $50,000 in June 2008, thinking she was buying an American Equity annuity, Martin wrote.

Seabaugh’s financial advisers told her in 2012 there was not a policy with American Equity, according to the statement.

“I did invest it with another man who was supposed to invest it,” Monia said.

Monia was referring to George Joseph, 51, of Cape Girardeau, who was sentenced in September 2015 to two consecutive life sentences for killing his wife, Mary, and son, Matthew.

Joseph told Cape Girardeau police detectives in a taped interview played at his trial he did not want his wife and son to live with the shame of his financial situation before he shot and killed them May 30, 2013, as they slept.

He then shot himself in the head in a failed suicide attempt.

Twenty people sued the estates of Mary and Matthew Joseph in an attempt to recoup money stolen by Joseph, according to court documents.

Seven of the counts Monia pleaded to Tuesday involved him transferring money to Joseph.

“He was supposed to get a better kickback from George,” Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd said of Monia’s reason for working with Joseph.

Gary Schweer wrote five checks to Monia in April 2010 totaling $70,000 for two annuities policies, Martin wrote.

Monia offered to pay $58,000 back to Schweer, but the check bounced, according to the statement.

Monia pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing $30,000 from Schweer.

“It went into your pocket and somebody else’s pocket,” Lewis said, and Monia affirmed.

Richard Thiele wrote Monia a check for $100,000 in June 2011, thinking he was paying for an American Equity annuity, Martin wrote. Monia said he invested the $100,000 with Joseph.

“He never bought nothing for nobody,” Monia said of Joseph.

Monia said he took $20,000 from Donald Bogenpohl.

Bogenpohl thought he was buying a manufactured home, Martin wrote.

Monia said he invested $12,500 in a construction project.

“You put $7,000 in your pocket, and he got nothing,” Lewis said.

Charles and Carolyn Glueck in Scott County were victims of Monia twice, including in July 2011 when they gave Monia a check for $10,000 for an annuity that was sent to Joseph, according to Monia’s plea.

The second time was for $20,000, also for an American Equity annuity. Martin wrote the Gluecks invested $145,000 with Monia.

In June 2011, Alene Heisserer wrote a $100,000 check directly to Joseph under the advice of Monia, who was serving as her financial adviser, according to a probable-cause affidavit from Scott County detective Branden Caid.

Louis Heisserer wrote Monia a check in August 2010 for $120,000 for an American Equity annuity plan.

“Mr. Heisserer gave me $120,000,” Monia said. “I put it in my checking account and gave $100,000 to George.”

bkleine@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address: 100 Court St., Jackson, MO