TRAFICANT Some items on auction list to go back to government

The auction has run into roadblocks since it was announced last week.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The General Services Administration in Washington, D.C., wants back some furniture that the family of former U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. has set to be auctioned this Sunday.
A conference table, six chairs, an end table and a coat rack must be returned, said Brian Walsh, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, chairman of the House Administration Committee.
"We do know that they are (A) government property and (B) there are no records that Mr. Traficant bought the property," Walsh said.
Representatives of the GSA visited Jeff Anglin Auction Services in Brookfield on Tuesday and took photographs of the items set to be auctioned at 1 p.m. Sunday. It's not clear how the government-owned furniture will be returned to Washington.
Items belonging to the expelled and imprisoned ex-congressman will be auctioned at 7281 Warren-Sharon Road in Brookfield. Anglin's is in the rear of Valley View Antique Mall.
"Things happen amidst moves. I expect this to be resolved amicably," Ney said today.
Ney said if Traficant's wife refuses to acknowledge the property is the government's, the auctioneer will be told that he is liable if the property is sold. Ney said if there is a dispute, Anglin will be asked to not sell the furniture.
Ney said this is the first time a former member has had an auction.
He said a desk and chair were originally government property but Traficant purchased those items back in the 1980s.
This is just the latest roadblock for the auction, which was announced last week.
The government has asked for authorization to garnish the proceeds of the event. The request was made Monday, in an application filed in U.S. District Court.
What's being checked
William J. Edwards, first assistant U.S. attorney in Cleveland, said that his office's civil division is "taking appropriate steps" and doing research to determine if the auction proceeds are subject to seizure to satisfy what Traficant owes.
In April, a federal jury found Traficant, 61, of Poland, guilty of racketeering, bribery and tax evasion. The jury concluded that he owes the government a $96,000 forfeiture.
The government filed liens in August against any property in Traficant's name.
Traficant also owes a $1,000 special assessment and $150,000 fine. In an order filed July 31, U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells authorized the federal government to seize the money.
Anglin said Traficant's wife, Tish, and daughter, Elizabeth, consigned furniture, including antiques, artwork, prints, collectibles, church pews, conference table and chairs, a 100-year-old Victorian parlor suite, china and much more for sale on commission. Anglin estimated there are 70 items.
Most of the household goods came from the Traficant farmhouse on state Route 165 in Greenford, Anglin said. The 76-acre horse farm is owned by Traficant's daughter.
Some items came from the former congressman's offices.
meade@vindy.com