Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Roughly 20 paintings will be brought from New York.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Be prepared for "astounding revelations," and bring cash if you want to buy paintings done by James A. Traficant Jr. in federal prison.
The sales pitch and invitation for Saturday's Traficant debate at the Chevrolet Centre, sponsored by Vindy.com and WFMJ-Channel 21, can be found on the Web site beammeupart.com. The site is operated by New York friends of the imprisoned ex-congressman and provides links to eBay auctions that feature his artwork, mostly of horses and barns.
Saturday's 10 a.m. debate, "Jim Traficant, good or bad for this region?" will be hosted by Vindicator columnist Bertram deSouza. He expects a good turnout, including a few out-of-towners who believe Traficant was "railroaded" into prison.
Traficant, 64, of Poland, is incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minn., serving an eight-year sentence for racketeering, bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion.
While in Congress, Traficant secured a $26.8 million grant for the downtown entertainment arena where the debate will be held. Some of his supporters have suggested that a plaque recognizing his achievement be placed in the Chevrolet Centre.
Beammeupart.com proclaims: "If you are interested in this illustrious man and the impact he has made in this region, please come prepared for some astounding revelations and subsequent discussions." The site says his artwork will be on display at the debate, and some of the paintings should be available for purchase, cash only.
Background
Sybille Oelschlager of Schuyler Falls, N.Y., Traficant's pen pal and a fellow artist, is the recipient of his prison paintings. She has said she sells the artwork on eBay with the idea of giving some of the proceeds back to him so he can buy painting supplies. Her friend, Jayne Moore, maintains the beammeupart.com Web site.
Moore is expected to bring 20 paintings to Saturday's debate.
Also expected to attend is Maurice Hurley of Virginia, a neighbor of Traficant's co-defendant, Richard Detore. Detore was acquitted at trial. Hurley has joined forces with Oelschlager.
Last month, after learning about Traficant's artwork, the government applied for a writ of garnishment, naming Oelschlager as the garnishee. Writs allow the government to determine if anyone is holding items of value for Traficant that could be used to satisfy his $150,000 fine. He still owes $120,000.
The Bureau of Prisons recently added time to Traficant's stay in prison, setting his projected release date at Sept. 2, 2009.
The BOP will not disclose the reason for the added time. Oelschlager has suggested that 500 Christmas cards he hand-painted had something to do with the days added to his projected release.
The beammeupart.com Web site alleges that he lost phone, commissary and visitor privileges for six months.
meade@vindy.com