REP. TRAFICANT Squire, Douglas receive praise

The congressman came out strongly in support of the incumbent Youngstown judge who used to work on his staff.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. said today he would be "in a hell of a position" if Percy Squire, a major contributor to his campaign, were to enter the city mayoral race.
That is because Squire would challenge Mayor George M. McKelvey, with whom Traficant, D-17th of Poland, enjoys a strong relationship.
"That would be a real problem if Percy gets in because I love him, and he is one of the most brilliant men I know," Traficant said today. "I don't know what he's going to do ... Mayor McKelvey has done a fine job. I think it would be up to the voters. But I think Percy would bring a talented, qualified person into the race."
Squire, a Columbus attorney who grew up in Youngstown, is interested in running as an independent candidate for mayor. The deadline to file as an independent is May 7. The election is Nov. 6.
Donor: Squire, who has donated more than $5,000 to Traficant's campaign in the past six years, said he would probably not run against McKelvey if the mayor would endorse the re-election bid of Youngstown Municipal Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr., a Squire friend and former business partner.
McKelvey is the only candidate on the May 8 Democratic primary ballot. There is a write-in candidate. There is no Republican opposition.
McKelvey has been critical of Youngstown Municipal Court judges' decisions on granting bond for certain people arrested for violent crimes. Regarding Judge Douglas, McKelvey objected to the judge's allowing a 19-year-old charged in a January drive-by shooting to post a $5,000 bond. The teen was indicted Thursday on drug charges related to selling marijuana while released on that bond.
Backs Douglas: Traficant came out strongly today in support of Judge Douglas, who formerly worked on the congressman's staff and who he described as a good friend. Anthony Farris, an assistant city prosecutor, is challenging Judge Douglas in the Democratic primary.
"I think it would be a tragedy in this town with the number of minorities we have that there would be no justice to represent them," Traficant said of the judge, who is black. "Bob just doesn't represent the minorities. He represents all people. I think he is one of the finest young judges that we have ... I will be strong in the corner of Judge Robert Douglas, very strong. I want the community to know that. I want the community to get off this black-white business."
Regarding the bond issue, Traficant said, "It is governed by law. There are circumstances. I think the attorney handling the matter would be more appropriate to talk about that case rather than the congressman. I'm not involved in that particular case. I'm involved in my own case."
Traficant was referring to a federal investigation being conducted into his conduct. Traficant, who plans to defend himself in the case, said he expects to be indicted.
A grand jury in Cleveland is investigating allegations against Traficant of bribery, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute, the Hobbs Act (extortion) and tax evasion.