Warnock bribery, fraud trial set for July 7

The years-long federal criminal case against former Madison County Engineer Rudy Warnock, set to begin next week, has been continued for a 13th time following the recusal of two federal judges within the last week. 

Warnock, who was indicted in 2021 on federal bribery and wire fraud charges, was set to stand trial with former Canton Municipal Utilities Chair Cleveland Anderson, who was also indicted on bribery charges, on June 9. 

However, on May 28, U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate recused himself from the nearly four-year case after witness lists were recently released. 

“Several of these witnesses are well known to the judge, as such witnesses have grown up with him,” Wingate wrote. “Additionally, one witness has represented in legal affairs some of the judge’s relatives.”

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves was then assigned the case and he, too, citing relationships with some witnesses, including attorney Lisa Ross from Canton, recused himself. 

The case now appears before U.S. District Judge Kristi Johnson, who was appointed on Monday. 

Johnson held a status conference on Tuesday and set a firm trial date for July 7, with all motions due June 16.

Warnock was indicted in 2021 on federal bribery and wire fraud charges involving his work at CMU. Anderson, along with Canton aldermen Eric Gilkey and Andrew Grant, were also indicted on bribery charges. 

Gilkey and Grant both pleaded guilty and await sentencing. 

Warnock is alleged to have gifted cash, football tickets, and concert tickets in exchange for engineering contracts with the city of Canton and CMU.

The case dates back to December 2021, when the four were indicted by a federal grand jury. The indictments were sealed until November 2022. 

Warnock had served as the county engineer since the early 2000s, rising up from assistant county engineer. He was finally removed in January 2016 when three new supervisors were elected. 

His tenure was riddled with controversy throughout the years. Questionable projects included Sulphur Springs Park and a $1.2 million airport study for the Madison County Economic Development Authority. 

Warnock, who had billed the county tens of millions of dollars over the years, quickly found work in Canton and, eight months after being ousted from the county, had billed CMU $1.15 million for work. 

His tenure at CMU was also riddled with controversy. The chair at the time was ousted after alleging corruption. 

Two months after Warnock’s hire, the CMU board ousted the general manager and increased the overall operating budget by $540,000 to nearly $13 million. He then coordinated with the CMU board to declare a sewer emergency and discussed floating a bond upwards of $45 million to address the city’s needs. 

Warnock was fired in late 2016 and sued CMU for $6.3 million. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit.