Traficant to appear on ‘Hardball’
YOUNGSTOWN — Ex-U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. continues his media tour with an appearance on “Hardball with Chris Matthews” scheduled for Wednesday.
Traficant, released Sept. 2 from federal prison after serving a sentence of seven years and a month, will be interviewed on the MSNBC show that begins at 5 p.m.
After the Mahoning Valley Scrappers last month canceled a “Traficant Release Night” promotion for Sept. 2, Matthews said on his show, “Remember Jim Traficant? How can you forget him? ... As Traficant used to say in hearing such news, ‘Beam me up.’”
Traficant has appeared on cable television news shows on Fox News and CNN since his release.
He also hosted a radio show last week on WKBN-AM radio in Youngstown.
Traficant is to host the “Mike Trivisonno Show” from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday on WTAM-AM radio in Cleveland. Before going to prison, Traficant appeared several times on Trivisonno’s program.
Also, Traficant is considering paid offers to deliver speeches and host radio shows, said Dennis Malloy, who is serving as the ex-congressman’s director of communications.
“His value is pretty high now,” Malloy said. “He’s exploring what Jim Traficant speaking to people is worth. We’re sorting through the offers.”
Traficant, expelled from the U.S. House after more than 17 years as a congressman, was found guilty in April 2002 on 10 felony convictions including racketeering, bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion.
skolnick@vindy.com