Traficant tops in gift-shop spending

STAFF/WIRE REPORTS
WASHINGTON -- Expelled U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. spent nearly $14,000 in the House Gift Shop during the last election cycle, the most of any member of Congress, according to campaign finance records.
The shop sells congressional mementos, such as T-shirts, hats, golf balls, mugs, note pads and pens, all of which bear the official seal of the U.S. House.
There is no restriction against using campaign money to buy gifts for constituents and supporters.
Traficant, a Democrat, was expelled last year after being convicted of bribery and racketeering charges.
While serving an eight-year sentence at a federal prison in Pennsylvania, he ran as an independent for the 17th District seat and was defeated for re-election by Tim Ryan.
About 100 members of the 435-member House bought gifts from the shop with campaign funds, including Ohio Reps. Mike Oxley, Rob Portman and Steven LaTourette, all Republicans.
Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., spent the second-highest amount, about $9,500.
House members spent nearly $174,000 at the shop from campaign budgets, according to records available from Political Money Line, a Washington-based campaign-finance watchdog group.