Feds will keep eye on Traficant for 3 years after release

By David Skolnick

The former congressman can register to vote immediately upon his release, but can he run for elected office?

YOUNGSTOWN — After ex-U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. gets out of federal prison Wednesday, he won’t exactly be a free man.

As part of his sentence, Traficant will be on supervised release for three years.

Shortly after Wednesday, Traficant will meet with federal probation office officials in downtown Youngstown at the Thomas D. Lambros Building and United States Courthouse. Ironically, when he was a congressman, Traficant was instrumental in getting the federal building located in Youngstown.

Debra White of the federal probation office in Youngstown couldn’t be reached to comment on Traficant.

At that meeting with probation officials, the terms of Traficant’s reporting and supervision will be determined, said Richard J. Billak, chief executive officer of the Community Corrections Association.

CCA is a Youngstown-based company that operates a halfway house for inmates, including numerous federal prisoners.

During those three years of supervised release, Billak said:

• Federal probation officials will do periodic checks of Traficant’s residence in Poland for weapons.

• Traficant won’t be permitted to be around other convicted felons, which is standard operating procedure for any federal ex-con.

• If Traficant wants to travel outside Ohio, he would need approval from federal probation officials.

• If Traficant wants to live elsewhere he could put in a request to relocate, but it would have to be for a legitimate reason.

Because of Traficant’s age, 68, he won’t be required to find employment upon his release, Billak said.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.