Byline: David DeWitte

Oct. 3--CEDAR RAPIDS -- State insurance regulators took the rare step of invoking emergency powers against a Cedar Rapids insurance agent they say has taken client funds, forged client signatures and threatened clients.

The insurance sales license of Jack L. Straw of Cedar Rapids was permanently revoked in an order issued by the Iowa Insurance Division on Friday.

Straw, 49, operated Benefit Services Corp., which marketed its services to businesses and individual clients.

The agency has had operations in Dunkerton, Waterloo and Clear Lake before Straw relocated recently to Cedar Rapids, division officials said. It was authorized to sell ...