Delta Housing Official Indicted

Ann Jefferson is charged with three counts of interfering with witnesses. The charges were read to her Monday morning in U.S. District Court in Greenville. A federal grand jury indicted Jefferson recently. In 2010, the FBI began investigating South Delta Regional Housing Authority, where Jefferson is executive director. So far, federal officials have not specified what they’re looking for. During Monday’s hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Sanders explained to Jefferson that she was accused of interfering with three witnesses — a former tenant of South Delta rental property, a former employee and a current employee. He set bond at $25,000 and ordered Jefferson to have no contact with the witnesses. The arraignment is set for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. Jefferson’s attorney, Willie Griffin, declined to comment. Attorney Bennie Richard, who represents South Delta’s board of directors, attended the hearing. He said afterward that Jefferson could continue working unless the board takes action. Jefferson has been at the center of several controversies, including major increases in rent for tenants of apartments and houses rented by South Delta. A lawsuit on that matter is pending in federal court.