CLEVELAND Traficant files 3 motions for judge's ruling

CLEVELAND -- U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. filed three motions Tuesday in preparation for his racketeering trial next week.
If U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells prevents Traficant from putting the lead prosecutor on the witness stand, the congressman wants her to prevent the prosecutor "from testifying on rebuttal or offering any evidence that he did not threaten or coerce witnesses to testify against pro se defendant when this evidence is brought out during the testimony in this case."
In the second motion, his response to the judge's denying him a 14-day delay of the trial, the 17th District congressman wants her to prohibit evidence he says he received after the discovery deadline.
Traficant's reference is to a prosecution request for a pretrial ruling on the admissibility of statements made to former congressional staff members about kickback schemes.
To aid the judge in her decision, the government revealed the existence of an FBI audiotape that is alleged to contain a kickback confession.
Traficant also asked the judge to separate all government witnesses and not allow them in court until it is their turn to testify.