Traficant heading home after eight years in federal prison

YOUNGSTOWN — Jimbo’s coming home.

On March 9, ex-congressman James A. Traficant Jr., called Jimbo by friends and foes alike, will report to Community Corrections Association, a halfway facility on Market Street.

The 67-year-old convicted felon’s eight-year federal prison sentence expires Sept. 2, 2009, and then he’ll serve three years’ supervised release.

In April 2002, a jury in Cleveland found the nine-term Democratic congressman guilty of all 10 counts he faced — including racketeering, bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion. The jury, after a 10-week trial, believed that he took kickbacks from high-level staffers, used other staffers as farmhands on federal time, accepted cash gifts and services from businessmen, cheated on his taxes and tried to influence witnesses.

The U.S. House of Representatives, using the trial transcript, found “clear and convincing evidence” that he broke House rules. The vote was 420-1 to expel him July 24, 2002, a week before he was sentenced.

Traficant is incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minn., but why has not been made public. The prison houses inmates with health or psychological problems. He took up painting to pass the time, crafting mostly horses and barns.

Richard J. Billak, CCA chief executive officer, said the Bureau of Prisons called today, asking if his facility would accept a “high-profile” placement. He said sure.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com