YOUNGSTOWN Judge postpones hearing in Traficant-Detore case

YOUNGSTOWN -- A status conference for U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. and his co-defendant, Richard E. Detore, that was set for today in Cleveland has been rescheduled to 3 p.m. Dec. 21.
U.S. District Court Judge Lesley Brooks Wells granted Detore's request to postpone the hearing after the Clifton, Va., man sent her a letter saying he has "come to agreement with counsel to represent" him, but the attorney would not be retained before today's scheduled hearing.
The judge had given Detore until this week to find an attorney or one would have been appointed by the court for him.
Traficant of Poland, D-17th, is charged with 10 felony counts including bribery, racketeering and tax evasion. Detore, an engineer added to Traficant's case in an Oct. 26 superseding indictment, faces a charge of conspiracy to violate the federal bribery statute.
Allegation: Federal prosecutors say that while Detore worked as chief operating officer for USAerospace Group, the company gave Traficant money, free meals and other perks in exchange for the congressman's using his influence to promote the company's laser-guidance technology to help the business.
USAerospace Group was owned by Liberty mall developer J.J. Cafaro, who has pleaded guilty to giving Traficant an illegal gratuity for the congressman's assistance.
The trial of Traficant, who is defending himself even though he is not an attorney, and Detore is scheduled for Feb. 4.