A southeast Iowa real estate investment firm is being investigated by state and federal offices after its president vanished this month. Investors are concerned about their estimated four-and-a-half million dollars in Iowa Rural Housing of Oskaloosa. Iowa Securities Bureau Chief Craig Goettsch confirms a probe is underway.The family of the firm’s president, 50-year-old Scott Hinkley Senior, reportedly says he was last heard from on July 2nd and he is long since overdue to return from a business trip to Florida. Goettsch says Hinkley and his business had been in trouble with the state for his practices a few years ago.Goettsch says Iowa Rural Housing was involved with buying houses in small towns statewide and re-selling them for profit. Though he can’t comment on specifics of the ongoing investigation, Goettsch says Iowans should be very cautious when investing their money. He says he’d worry if someone says a high-return investment is low-risk.Goettsch says the Iowa Securities Bureau has a toll free number for anyone with questions — it’s 800-351-4665.
