THUNDER BAY - A man who has already been convicted of fraud and spent time in custody will once again stand trial on numerous fraud charges late next year.
A trial has been scheduled for Richard Belbas to take place next October and November on charges of fraud and failing to comply with probation order.
The charges against Belbas include nine counts of fraud over $5,000, 10 counts of fraud under $5,000, 15 counts of failing to comply with a probation order, and one count of breach of contract.
The trial is scheduled to take place the weeks of Oct, 11, 17, 24, and 31, and the week of Nov. 14, 2022.
The case has been moving through the court system since January 2018 when the charges were first laid by the Thunder Bay Police Service. According to police, investigators received numerous complaints dating back to 2016 from people who alleged Belbas was hired as a contractor and paid for home renovation projects that were never delivered.
The Thunder Bay Police Service said in a media release at the time of his arrest that more than $55,000 was paid to Belbas by the complainants.
In June 2018, Belbas pleaded guilty to 11 counts of fraud under the representation of former Thunder Bay lawyer Chris Watkins. Belbas was to be sentenced in November of that year, but he retained new counsel who informed the court of an intention to strike several of the guilty pleas.
In September 2020, Belbas retained another new defense attorney, Karen Scullion, who requested a motion to strike past guilty pleas, arguing Belbas had not received proper plea inquiry by Watkins.
Belbas has previously been charged and convicted of fraud. In January 2015, Belbas was sentenced to five months in custody and three years probation after pleading guilty to charges of fraud over $5,000, fraud under $5,000, and breach of probation.
The charges related to home renovation projects for which Belbas was hired as a contractor but never completed the jobs. He was ordered to pay $17,600 in restitution to one victim and $3,600 to a second victim.
Belbas has previous convictions relating to fraud charges dating back to 2001, which resulted in him receiving a conditional sentence.
