MARK THOMAS

COLUMBUS — The change-of-plea hearing for St. Clairsville 3rd Ward Councilman Mark Thomas is set for Aug. 15.

Thomas had been scheduled to appear before Judge Algenon L. Marbley of the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio on Friday morning. That hearing was continued due to rescheduling in the judge’s office.

According to the federal clerk of courts, the new hearing time is 1 p.m. Aug. 15, but Marbley’s office would not confirm that until next week when scheduling is complete.

Thomas, 61, a former Belmont County commissioner, originally was charged with four counts of felony mail fraud, based on allegations that he abused his status as power of attorney for an elderly client with dementia and stole more than $500,000 from her.

The charges are connected to his former legal practice and not related to his political offices.