Friday, November 17, 2023

Cleve Anderson Trial Postponed

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate postponed Cleve Anderson's  bribery trial to February 5.  Anderson and co-defendant Rudy Warnock were supposed to go to trial next month in U.S. District Court. 

A federal grand jury indicted Anderson for two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery.   Anderson is a former Canton Alderman and former Chairman of the Canton Municipal Utilities Board of Commissioners.  The grand jury also indicted former Canton Municipal Utilities engineer Rudy Warnock for conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud.  

Anderson and Warnock filed motions to postpone their December 4 trial.  The Justice Department did not oppose the motions.  Judge Wingate granted Anderson's motion but has not yet ruled on Warnock's request.  


Synopsis of Case

A federal grand jury indicted former Canton Municipal Utilities engineer Rudy Warnock for conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud and Cleveland Anderson for two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery  in December 2021. The indictments were unsealed nearly a year later on November 22, 2022.  

The grand jury also indicted former Canton Alderman Andrew Grant and Canton Alderman Eric Gilkey for Conspiracy to commit bribery (2 counts), conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud in December 2021. The two defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.

The indictment alleges the defendants bilked CMU from the beginning of 2016 to the end of 2017.  Commissioner Anderson moved to hire Warnock as CMU's civil engineer on August 16, 2016.  

The indictment charges Warnock made regular payments to Anderson, Gilkey, and Grant in exchange for contracts and "favorable treatment" at CMU. 

Some of the Warnock gifts included tickets to luxury suites at New Orleans Saints games and concerts in the Crescent City.     

The indictment charges Warnock deposited a check "in the amount of $9,200, made payable to J.M. through the automated clearinghouse system of the Federal Reserve Bank System.  Part of the proceeds of this transaction were given to defendants Grant and Gilkey in the form of $4,000 cash each.  

The maximum penalty for the conspiracy to commit bribery is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  The maximum penalties for the wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges are 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Anderson pulled a little bit of bait and switch with Judge Wingate. The defendant submitted a petition to plead guilty in February.  U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate held a hearing on September 26 to accept the plea but that is where things got squirrely for Anderson.

 Judge Wingate denied the petition as he decreed: 

On September 13, 2023, defendant CLEVELAND ANDERSON appeared before the Court with the stated purpose of changing his prior plea of “not guilty” to a plea of “guilty.” The Court questioned Defendant Anderson concerning the essential elements of the offense charged in Count 1 of the indictment, and Defendant Anderson denied that he acted corruptly or had corrupt intent as required by the elements of the charge in Count 1 of the indictment. Consequently, the Court did not accept Defendant Anderson’s plea of guilty, and set this case for trial on December 4, 2023 along with co-Defendant Rudolph M. Warnock, Jr.

 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Common practice. Sweat the major defendant, letting him think about Anderson's testimony.

Both will plead to one count of some pissant charge.

Meanwhile, Warnock is fat and happy in bankruptcy with millions socked away...provided by the citizens of Madison County.

Rudy whistles: I get by with a little help from my friends.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully the delay gives him time to spill his guts on the crooked bastards running Madison Co. government.

Anonymous said...

Making us proud up here in Canton.

Anonymous said...


What you see here is the Tip of iceberg-

Anonymous said...

CMU sucks worst utility in the metro

Anonymous said...

10:13, you should try out Entergy.

Anonymous said...

12:49 - You're not that fellow who just ran for governor, are you?

No, most likely just another rural yokel who thinks his bill ought to be half what it is.

Anonymous said...

The game is about who will talk about the goods on the big man in DC or the elected democrats currently in office! If you continue to spill the goods you will walk. At least that’s what is coming from people in the know. What do you think?

Anonymous said...

Agree! The big man Bennie and his car wash friends should be worried. As far as local Ds my money is on rue man flipping.

Anonymous said...

Bennie has nothing to do with this canton municipal situation. He's corrupt, but he has no interest in this sort of penny-ante stuff.

Anonymous said...

That’s what you think 2:23. I bet you don’t even know about Rayburn. Go back to sleep.

Anonymous said...

Deals already been cut. Two walk and 3 others get indicted.

Anonymous said...

Innocent until proven guilty. I bet the new US Attorney appreciates this. It’s clear that some previous US Attorneys were too busy trying to break into politics instead of protecting the innocent.

Anonymous said...

Warnock was indicted because he supported Jim Hood when Mike Hurst ran against him. He also supported Stacey Pickering in the same election cycle when Mary Hawkins ran against him. After Hurst and Hawkins lost they plotted to get Hurst appointed as US Attorney and the payback was Warnock’s indictment. I’m just speculating but I’ve seen this before as a long time resident.

Anonymous said...

Hmm if you’re right 7:53 the trail should be very interesting. Can’t wait to see who’s called to the stand.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.