Warnock trial set for June

The federal trial of former Madison County Engineer Rudy Warnock scheduled to begin on Monday has once again been continued, marking the eighth such delay in the case. 

Warnock, who was indicted in November 2022 on federal bribery and wire charges, is now scheduled to stand trial on June 3, U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate ruled on Friday.

Former Canton Municipal Utilities Chairman Cleveland Anderson, also facing felony bribery charges, is also scheduled to stand trial on June 3 after he also sought a continuance in the case.

In February, a Washington D.C. prosecutor was appointed as counsel for the U.S., court records show. 

Kathryn E. Fifield with the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice was appointed to the case.

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 the criminal trials of Warnock and Anderson.

Anderson initially pleaded guilty, but his plea was rejected by the court after telling the judge he didn’t do anything wrong. 

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 of Canton and CMU.