District Attorney Walt Merrell gave the Florala Utilities Board a detailed explanation on Monday of the ongoing criminal case against its former manager.

Lynn Hughes, 52, was charged with two counts of theft and an ethics violation after she allegedly issued extra paychecks and paid family insurance premiums totaling more than $40,000.

Montgomery attorney Julian McPhillips is representing Hughes. He said last week that his client is being persecuted by the utilities board and that a preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m., Nov. 9, in front of District Judge Trippy McGuire.

While Monday’s discussion was held during a more than an hour-long closed doors session, Chairman Marvin Williford said he felt confident about the case.

“Things are progressing nicely, and (Merrell was there Wednesday) to give the board an update on what we’re looking at and what we can look forward to in the future (in terms of the case),” Williford said.