YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) – The family of former Ohio Congressman James Traficant Jr., who served time in prison after his conviction on corruption and racketeering charges, is holding a memorial service for him in northeastern Ohio.
The 73-year-old colorful and eccentric Democrat died in late September, several days after a vintage tractor tipped over on him at his family’s farm outside Youngstown. The public tribute Sunday will be at a performing arts center in Traficant’s native Youngstown.
Traficant spent seven years in prison before his 2009 release. His conviction for taking bribes and kickbacks made him only the second person expelled from Congress since the Civil War.
Prosecutors said he used his U.S. House office to extract bribes from businesspeople and coerced staffers to work on his farm and houseboat.