Proceeding delayed in Hiott case

A pre-trial conference in a criminal case against a former Oconee banker is being delayed, at the request of the prosecution. Federal Judge J-Michelle Childs signed an order last week continuing the case against Benjamin Lee Hiott until the August term of U-S District Court. Hiott, former vice president with Community First Bank, is charged with three counts of bank fraud. He is also a co-defendant in a civil proceeding. The prosecutor in the criminal case is away on maternity leave and requested the continuance. The prosecution and the defense both agreed to the continuance, which was granted by Childs in an order signed June 3 in Greenville.