Date set for ex-Ohio lawmaker's fraud trial

CINCINNATI (AP) — A former southwest Ohio lawmaker accused of misleading investors about a company’s financial status and using their money for personal gain is set to go on trial March 23.

The Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge who will decide the case set the trial date today. Former state Rep. Pete Beck. Beck has pleaded not guilty to more than 60 charges, including felony theft and securities fraud.

Beck’s attorney has said the charges are false allegations, and Beck has maintained his innocence.

The 62-year-old accountant from the Cincinnati suburb of Mason resigned his Ohio House seat in November. He said in his resignation letter that personal matters would require his attention this month.

He lost his re-election bid when he was defeated in the Republican primary in May.