Let’s have a party to repudiate Traficant

By Bertram de Souza (Contact)

James A. Traficant Jr.’s supporters are talking about having a huge “Welcome home Jimbo” party when (if?) he returns to the Mahoning Valley in March after spending almost seven years in federal prison. The former 17th District congressman, who was convicted by a jury of 10 federal criminal charges, including bribery, racketeering and tax evasion, is supposed to be moved to the Community Corrections Association’s half-way house in Youngstown.

(After the initial announcement of his impending release from prison, a close friend claimed Traficant did not want to come to CCA.)

Nonetheless, if the public reaction to the news of this convict’s homecoming is any indication, too many people in the Mahoning Valley remain addicted to the pabulum Traficant served while congressman for 17 years and before that as sheriff of Mahoning County.

To be sure, he remains a media attraction — whether behind bars without his hair piece, or the subject of rumors of some medical or mental affliction, or his artistic endeavors resulting in garish paintings of horses with flowing manes and muscular haunches.

But being the subject of press coverage does not qualify him for public adulation.

James A. Traficant Jr., was charged with using his public position for personal gain. He had the opportunity to make a deal with federal prosecutors that would have resulted in a two-year prison sentence for pleading guilty.

He chose to take his chances in federal court in Cleveland. He also chose to defend himself in the trial before a jury. In so doing, the expelled congressman ignored the advice of close friends, including several lawyers who had handled such government corruption cases.

Traficant got a fair trial, showed no remorse, was disrespectful to the judge and refused, even at sentencing, to admit to doing anything wrong.

Canard

Instead, he tossed out the tired, asinine (to thinking people, at least) canard — this was all a grand conspiracy against me by the White House, the Justice Department, the FBI and CIA because I beat them in court in 1983.

That was when he was charged with racketeering, bribery and tax evasion for taking money from organized crime figures during his campaign for sheriff.

He defended himself and was able to convince the jury he took the money from mobsters so it could not be used by his opponents.

Traficant parlayed that victory into his “Sheriff Buford Pusser Walking Tall” persona. A year after winning his case, he ran for Congress and defeated incumbent Republican Lyle Williams.

He decided early on that in order to stand out among the 435 members of the House and 100 members of the Senate, he would have do what no other person would dream of doing: Play the buffoon.

His one-minute speeches on the floor of the House were the stuff of ridicule to all but his true believers. “Beam me up” became his trademark slogan. His verbal attacks on the legislative, executive and judicial branches caused him to be dismissed as the court jester.

And yet, when he was charged, tried and then convicted, he played the victim card — and his legions of supporters bought the act hook, line and sinker.

Now, the Valley will have to deal with the spectacle of a celebration of this corrupt ex-public official’s homecoming.

Government corruption

That is why a party to repudiate Traficant is so important. It will tell the world that there are thoughtful residents who aren’t willing to turn a blind eye to government corruption.

Where should be party be held? Where else but at the Chevrolet Centre in downtown Youngstown. After all, Traficant was responsible for securing $26.8 million in a federal grant for the construction, but when his involvement was necessary to keep city officials’ grubby fingers off the money, he was too preoccupied with his legal problems.

The result: A $45 million facility that was built by city officials with no experience of overseeing such a project. The sports/entertainment arena is a symbol of government excess — in the Traficant tradition.

Every elected official in the Mahoning Valley would be invited to attend the party. If they declined or did not show up, they would be publicly identified.