Monia pleads not guilty, waives arraignment

Former Cape Girardeau businessman Keith Monia waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to eight felony charges Monday.

Monia has been charged with 15 felonies in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties after an investigation into his financial dealings.

The illegal transactions date to 2007 and add up to more than $560,000.

In Cape Girardeau County, Monia is charged with six counts of financial exploitation of the elderly and one count each of forgery and theft of property or services in the amount of $25,000 or more.

Two of the financial exploitation charges are class A felonies, punishable by 10 to 30 years or life in prison. The remaining four and the theft charge are class B felonies, which carry a sentence of five to 15 years, including conditional release. The forgery charge is a class C felony that carries a sentence up to seven years.

Monia is in custody at the Stoddard County Jail.

His next court appearance will be April 13.

Pertinent address:

One Barton Square, Jackson, MO 63755