COLUMBUS — St. Clairsville City Councilman Mark Thomas pleaded guilty to mail fraud during a hearing Monday afternoon.
He also resigned from his position as a St. Clairsville councilman. In a letter, he informed Maypr Kathryn Thalman and.other council members that he was stepping down.
Thomas, 62, a former Belmont County commissioner and former attorney, was accused of four courts of federal mail fraud relating to his now-defunct legal practice. It was alleged he abused his power of attorney for an elderly client with dementia and stole more than $500,000 from her.
On Monday, he entered a plea of guilty to one count and the other three were dismissed. Judge Algenon Marbley of the U.S. District Southern District of Ohio noted the maximum sentence is 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Included in the plea agreement was restitution of at least $882,502.
A sentencing date was not set.