Ahead of sentencing, U.S. seeks witness list

CLEVELAND -- In preparation for Tuesday's sentencing of U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., federal prosecutors want to know by Friday who the congressman will call as witnesses and wants him to provide any materials he intends to use.
In a motion filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, prosecutors said they contacted Traficant's Cleveland lawyer, Richard E. Hackerd, who was unable to tell them the witness lineup. The government also wants to know if U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells anticipates the sentencing will take longer than one day.
Traficant also filed a motion Tuesday, again asking that Judge Wells remove herself from his case. In April, the Poland Democrat was convicted of racketeering, bribery and tax evasion.