Canfield office is secluded, unlisted

As of last fall, rent at the congressman's secluded office was $1,650 per month.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
CANFIELD -- U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr.'s office on U.S. Route 224 is not listed in the phone book, city directory or on his Web site -- and don't expect to find it by looking for a sign out front.
The secluded office at 4590 Boardman-Canfield Road is at the northeast corner of the modern-looking complex. The glass-block windows offer total privacy.
The free-standing marquee that faces the road lists the main occupant as Mahoning Valley Chiropractic Rehabilitative Center. Other occupants, according to the sign, are Attys. Dennis Seaman, Stuart Garson and Robert J. Curry.
There's a separate listing for Atty. Robert A. Ciotola.
A reporter who circled the building -- twice -- looking for Traficant's office, then inquired inside the chiropractic center was directed to the northeast rear corner. A small alcove entry on the east side of the building toward the back leads to Ciotola's glass door.
To the immediate right of Ciotola's door is an unmarked glass door that leads to a small vestibule and another door. Above the second door is a sign that identifies the office as Traficant's.
The office is staffed by Hillary Voytko, a part-time congressional employee, and Robert Barlow, a full-time employee and Traficant's campaign treasurer.
Rental payments: As of last fall, Traficant's expense records show rent for the Canfield office was $1,650 per month. Monthly rent for his district office in Niles was $750; in East Liverpool, $60; and in the federal court in Youngstown, $3,537.
Some time ago, the district office in Youngstown provided The Vindicator with the Canfield office phone number to reach Barlow, but it refused to give out the address. The Canfield office did provide the address.
The Canfield office is not listed because Traficant has a walk-in office in Mahoning County for constituent use, Charles Straub, the congressman's spokesman in Washington, D.C., said today. Traficant uses the Canfield office to house staff and do constituent work, Straub said.
Some confusion: Until last Friday, when he attempted to fax motions to the U.S. District Court clerk in Cleveland, Traficant had wanted all court-related paperwork dealing with his 10-count indictment sent to his district office in Youngstown and provided its address and fax number to U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells.
On Friday, though, Traficant requested confirmation of his faxes at (330) 702-1230 -- the fax at his Canfield office.
The judge, apparently not recognizing the number, sent her "order regarding facsimiles" Monday morning to his Youngstown office fax. She rejected the faxed motions and chastised him, again, for not filing original documents with the clerk as required.
meade@vindy.com