Former Hinesville housing director pleads not guilty as mother alleges years of mold, disrepair

HINESVILLE, Ga. (WTOC) - Former Hinesville Housing Authority Executive Director Melanie Thompson and co-defendant Toriono L. Byrd pleaded not guilty Monday to a 23-count superseding federal indictment alleging they stole more than $2.5 million from the agency.The arraignment Oct. 26 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Benjamin W. Cheesbro in Savannah came on a superseding indictment filed Oct. 7. Both defendants waived a formal reading, remain on bond under the same conditions and are represented by new counsel, according to court minutes.Prosecutors allege that from September 2019 to October 2023, Thompson, as executive director, created false maintenance invoices for Byrd’s company, Southeastern Coastal Property Maintenance Services LLC, for work never done or far in excess of value, directed payments often in amounts of $5,000 or less to avoid detection, and received kickbacks. The indictment also alleges $29,987 in unauthorized bonus payments, a $3,833 monthly “LCCHDO” stipend, and fraudu