Warnock seeking 6th court continuance

The federal bribery trial of former Canton Municipal Utilities Chairman Cleveland Anderson has been continued.

U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate issued the order last week. 

Anderson, who earlier this year wanted to plead guilty to federal bribery charges — but told the judge he didn’t do anything wrong, asked for a continuance to prepare for a defense.  

Anderson was indicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery. 

Anderson’s trial was set for Dec. 4, with co-defendant Rudy Warnock, the former Madison County engineer charged with wire fraud and bribery. 

Warnock has since requested another continuance in the case as well, this one being the sixth.

Warnock, who earlier this year filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Alabama, has requested another continuance but as of Tuesday morning, Wingate had not ruled on that request. 

Warnock has been charged with bribery and wire fraud that allegedly occurred during his brief stint at CMU after he was fired by Madison County.

Indictments against Warnock, Anderson and former Canton aldermen Eric Gilkey and Andrew Grant were unsealed in November 2022. 

Warnock was indicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of wire fraud.

Warnock pleaded not guilty at his initial appearance. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Gilkey and Grant have both pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, presumably following the conclusion of Warnock and Anderson’s criminal trial.

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