Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Canton Corruption: We Like Our Bribes

The seamy side of Canton politics is on full display this week in Rudy Warnock's federal trial downtown.  WLBT's Antonius Warren reported:  

From lavish trips on a private plane to dropping $50,000 in one night at Chicago nightclub, a disgraced former alderman offered new details Tuesday on how prosecutors say a former Canton engineer attempted to buy influence with city officials.

Tuesday marked the first day of testimony in the long-awaited Rudy Warnock and Cleveland Anderson corruption trial.

Warnock and Anderson are charged in connection with a scheme to bribe city officials in exchange for lucrative contracts with CMU.

For much of the day, jurors heard from Andrew Grant, a former Canton alderman who pleaded guilty in 2022 in connection with the same scheme.

He told the court he went on multiple trips on Warnock’s dime, including a fishing trip to New Orleans, as well as a trip to Chicago, where Warnock spent $50,000 on him and others at a nightclub called Studio Paris.

“Trips to Washington D.C., trips to Chicago, football game tickets, concerts, and cash... Mr. Warnock was providing bribes to me, and I was enjoying them,” he said.

John Colette, an attorney for Warnock, said Grant signed a statement in February 2018 contradicting that claim, and that it wasn’t out of the ordinary for his client to spend money on people.

“You recall going to my client’s office around November 19, 2016, needing $3,500 for an event at the community center. He normally wrote a check, but he was leaving and going someplace, and he gave you cash, didn’t he?” he asked.

“He sponsored that. He sponsored Christmas on the square for Catholic Charities. He even had to hire Santa Claus,” Colette continued. “And you asked him to do it, and when he gave you money... he didn’t ask for anything, did he?”

“He did not,” Grant responded. Read the rest of the article. There is more, much more.  

There is more to come.  Stay tuned.   

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

A "fishing trip to New Orleans." Wow, now that's a huge carrot on a stick, at least to a Canton politician.

Anonymous said...

If a "fishing trip to New Orleans" is sufficient to bribe/influence a Canton politician, wouldn't a "happy meal" at Micky D's be more cost effective?

Anonymous said...

Madison County has the best politicians that money can buy.

Anonymous said...

Coke n strippers type fishing trip

Anonymous said...

$50,000 for one evening at a Chicago club? With that kind of money a fella could have a pretty good time in Vegas, or better yet, Paris, flying to/from first class. (Note: unless there was gambling in that club, I don't believe that testimony one bit.)

Anonymous said...

People up here ask me why we can’t get ahead or anything good like the county does. My response is that as long as our city is run like it is by people like these (crooks) we won’t get anything except shit. And yes, McD's would be more cost effective.

anonymous said...

the only fishing in new orleans was fishing the strip clubs on bourbon st. same smell.

anonymous said...

big john colette has always the knack to show up handling cases with hot women and big money.

anonymous said...

witnesses like this clown can't be believed. colette gone walk rudy out of there with a written apology.

Anonymous said...

Looks like it's about as slimy as I expected.


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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.


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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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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.

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