COLUMBUS – A trial date was set Thursday for Mark Thomas, the former St. Clairsville attorney and past Belmont County commissioner who was elected St. Clairsville 3rd Ward councilman on Nov. 2. He is accused of felony mail fraud.

Thomas is scheduled for trial on July 11 following a telephone conference Thursday between counsel and Judge Algenon L. Marbley of the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio.

Thomas is charged with four counts of felony mail fraud stemming from allegations that he abused his status as power of attorney and stole more than $500,000 from an elderly client with dementia.

According to court documents, the government had moved for a Faretta hearing, which occurs in cases in which a defendant wishes to serve as their own legal representation. According to Marbley’s office staff, the hearing was held earlier and the judge ruled against self-representation. As a result, Thomas is being represented by attorney Andy Avellano.

If convicted of all four mail fraud charges, Thomas could be sentenced to 20 years in prison.