Rudy Warnock filed an unopposed motion to continue his trial scheduled for August 5. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate has not ruled on the motion.
A federal grand jury indicted the former Canton Municipal Utilities Engineer Rudy Warnock for conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud.
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.
Anderson's trial has been continued.
17 comments:
At times, the wheels of justice stop turning. This is one of those times.
How many continuances now? 8 or 9?
Might as well commit crimes if you are not going to trial.
Trump could only dteam for this kind of treatment from the DOJ.
Some birds sing slower than others, especially when they have a lot to sign about. Right Carl, Paul?
Foul balls should be limited.
It's not over until the fat engineer finishes singing.
I know Rudy “Made?” A lot of money, but his legal fees have to be astronomical.
Apparently waiting for a natural death (70-80 years of age) to interfere with his trial.
I want to know why it is unopposed. Prosecutor? Where are you?
In which county did this alleged corruption occur?
Enough is enough, No More continuences
@2:45 PM - Canton County, which is not part of Madison County.
I have some bad news for Rudy, it is getting closure and closure for you to “Assume the position” in prison. Maybe you can learn to enjoy it.
I have been “entertained” by Rudy several times. He was entertaining and very “self absorbed”. Maybe we can reconnect, but it looks like it will be 20 or 30 years from now. Next time, maybe I can pick up the tab since the county will not be able to next time.
@12:24 pm
Yep! Thanks for saying it!
Warnock is so disgusting. He had the hubris to sue CMU for work he never did.
Warnock had better watch his back. Even Boeing whistleblowers are dropping like flies.
Although Rudolph was, (allegedly) for years, intertwined with corruption at the Madison County Supervisor level, I'm lost at the supposed connection with this pending trial and the shenanigans that occurred while he was County Engineer.
Other than Rudy, all the players are entirely different. No connection, other than Rudy's bank accounts.
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