Andrew Grant and Eric Gilkey, both former members of the Canton Board of Aldermen in Mississippi, have been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for their involvement in a bribery scheme. The sentencing took place following their guilty pleas to conspiring with Cleveland Anderson and Rudolph M. Warnock Jr., a former Madison County engineer.
The case stems from actions taken by Grant and Gilkey as aldermen, where they used their authority to appoint Anderson to the Board of Commissioners for the Canton Municipal Utilities agency (CMU) at Warnock’s request. Anderson then played a role in securing Warnock’s hiring as CMU engineer in 2016.
Evidence presented during an eight-day trial showed that Warnock provided payments and other rewards—including cash, concert tickets, and football tickets—to Anderson, Gilkey, and Grant. In return, these individuals gave Warnock preferential treatment that led to profitable city engineering contracts. The bribes also resulted in Warnock gaining control over CMU financial decisions.
Warnock and Anderson were convicted by a federal jury on multiple felony charges related to conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services wire fraud. In December, Warnock received a 12-year prison sentence while Anderson was sentenced to seven years.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. United States Attorney Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi announced the sentences alongside Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the FBI.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly T. Purdie and David H. Fulcher prosecuted the case.
