Missouri regulators issued a cease-and-desist order today against a St. Louis area mother and son accused of selling unregistered investments and spending $178,000 on personal expenses, including their own mortgage and insurance payments.

The order forbids Armod L. Hinkle, 27, of Robertsville, and Gina M. Hinkle, 47, of St. Louis, from selling membership units in their company, Direcutec.

The office of Secretary of State Robin Carnahan accuses the Hinkles of raising more than $315,000 to form Direcutec, a company that was supposed to “develop, market, and sell personal digital assistants and software products to law enforcement, health care, and restaurant services industries,” according to a press release from Carnahan’s office.

Direcutec was dissolved in October 2007. In a state filing, the Hinkles cited “insurmountable debt” as the reason for the company’s downfall.

The Hinkles allegedly used money from investors on mortgage payments, cosmetics, personal insurance, and cash withdrawals. Also, a credit card under the company’s name racked up $21,000 in charges at restaurants, groceries and clothing stores, according to Carnahan’s office

The Hinkles could not be reached for comment. A phone number for Direcutec was disconnected.

The Hinkles have 30 days to respond to the order or request a hearing.