Traficant family awaiting doctors' assessment

YOUNGSTOWN

The family of ex-U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., who remained in “very critical condition” late Thursday night after a farm-tractor accident, stays by his hospital bedside “waiting to hear from the doctors,” says his family’s spokeswoman.

“This takes time to see exactly what the situation is,” said Heidi Hanni, an attorney and the family’s spokeswoman. “He’s got the best doctors.”

Linda Kovachik, a longtime family friend and former Traficant aide, said Wednesday that Traficant is in a medically induced coma.

Hanni said Thursday that Traficant is unconscious and under sedation “for pain management, comfort and for tests,” but not in a medically induced coma.

Traficant, 73, is surrounded by his family members at St. Elizabeth Health Center, where he was taken Tuesday evening after the accident.

“The family wanted me to convey their appreciation for the prayers and support,” Hanni said. “Also, I can’t convey enough the family needs their privacy.”

Traficant, known for his fiery populist style and his political-corruption conviction in 2002, was seriously injured at his family farm on West South Range Road in Greenford.

Read more of this ongoing story in Friday's Vindicator and on Vindy.com .