STATE SAYS INSURANCE BROKERS SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE

A Cape Girardeau insurance agency has been found to be subject to discipline by a state administrative board for alleged violations of insurance laws.

Keith and Tammy Monia, owners of USA Multiline Insurance Agency, are named in a report issued by the Missouri Department of Insurance.

The report alleges that USA Multiline and the Monias engaged in a "false and deceptive course of conduct" in handling the insurance dealings of clients in the past two years.

The Monia's attorney, Albert Lowes, said the allegations have "little or no foundation" and that he plans to appeal the state's findings.

"They called them on two hyper-technical violations, and we certainly plan to appeal," said Lowes.

The report states that one of the clients, Carlton Crain, made a $300 initial payment for a health insurance policy, but only $181 of the payment was reported to the company. The report states Tammy Monia knew that Crain had paid $300, but recorded only the lesser amount.

The report states that Crain was refunded his money four months after he paid the company.

Lowes said the Monias did nothing wrong concerning the Crain policy because Crain "wanted health insurance, he got health insurance, then he changed his mind and he got his money back."

In another case involving a policy issued to a retired teacher, the commission found that Tammy Monia practiced "deception in connection with insurance transactions."

A hearing is scheduled in November to determine discipline procedures against the Monias, said Valerie Gibson, public information officer with the Missouri Department of Insurance.

Lowes contended the allegations are the result of a personal conflict between Keith Monia and his former employer.