Congressional crook 'stole his own desk' (TRAFICANT ALERT)

The Daily Telegraph ^ | November 28, 2002 | David Rennie

[MadIvan]

A former congressman recently jailed on 10 charges of racketeering and bribery is now being investigated for the theft of his congressional office desk.

Just when Congress was adjusting to life without Jim Traficant - famed for his conical hairpiece, polyester flared suits, alleged Mafia connections and habit of ending speeches with the Star Trek catchphrase "Beam me up" - officials are now examining how he comes to be selling a marble and walnut conference table, marked "Property of the House of Representatives".

Ex-Republican Traficant is serving eight years in jail for a two-decade career of crime, including demanding bribes, accepting illegal gifts, misusing public funds, tax fraud and forcing public employees to shovel horse manure on his farm.

His political career began with his improbable victory in a 1983 trial on Mafia charges, dating from his time as sheriff of Mahoning County. Jurors were shown a tape of Sheriff Traficant accepting more than £100,000 from mobsters.

Although departing members of Congress are permitted to buy their desks and chairs, Bob Ney, the chairman of the House administration committee, said there was no evidence that Traficant had purchased the items.

[MadIvan]

Do they let you take those things into prison with you? ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Sparta]

Ex-Republican Traficant

That's news to me!!!

[webber]

I think the "Daily Telegraph" has it's wires mixed up. Traficant was a typical demon-rat. A thief, a liar, a big mouth, a blamer of everyone but themselves, "it wasn't my fault" demon-rat. Oh sure, he made like he was a conservative, but under that gray trunk-suit was a ass.

[MadIvan]

You're right. I guess the Telegraph got mixed up because Traficant would blast Democrats more often than Republicans.

Regards, Ivan

[sinkspur]

Watch out! Traficant's got a lot of defenders on Free Republic. They think he was railroaded, and is as innocent as the driven snow.

Traficant's a crook, he's always been a crook (hell, he was accused of bribery when he was a sheriff back in 1984 and was acquitted by a jury of his constituents), and he'll always be a crook.

Traficant's not a Republican, though. He's a union-loving populist Democrat.

I'll bet there's a whole lot more missing from his House office.

[Happygal]

two-decade career of crime, including demanding bribes, accepting illegal gifts, misusing public funds, tax fraud and forcing public employees to shovel horse manure on his farm.

WHY does this suspiciously sound like the normal day to day runnings of the Irish Fianna Fail government? *L*

[MadIvan]

They haven't mentioned stolen cigars yet, though, darling. ;)

What is it with politicians and cigars anyway?

Love, Ivan

[CruisinAround]

Let's not jump to conclusions. This may be a gift from Dan Rostenkowski.

[Happygal]

I think ours only stick them in one orifice though. It's the Irish Catholic guilt thing! *LOL*

[tet68]

If they have a House of Representitives in Prison,
it's sure to be controled by Democrats.

"Will the Congressmate from Sing Sing Yield to
the Junior-inmate from New Jersey?"

[BJungNan]

Not happy with the prospects that Traficant would soon be out of jail, the Republicrats arrange for paperwork to go missing.

[FreedomPoster]

I don't think he's innocent - just no more guilty than the pack of fellow Dems who send him up the river, and probably less so than many.

[BJungNan]

but under that gray trunk-suit was a ass.

And the next time the IRS is required to show proof before taking all your assets, you will know who to thank and who is really the ass.

[MadIvan]

I think ours only stick them in one orifice though. It's the Irish Catholic guilt thing! *LOL*

Or they could just have more taste, darling. ;)

Love, Ivan

[jmax]

I won't swear to this being true, but it seems I read/heard something several years ago that said Congressmen and Senators are allowed to take certain pieces of their office furniture with them when they retire. Problem is, Trafficant didn't actually retire. He was "retired".

[Happygal]

Or they could just have more taste, darling. ;)

With a Fianna Fail government, I couldn't swear to that! *L*

[nightdriver]

"A former congressman recently jailed on 10 charges of racketeering and bribery is now being investigated for the theft of his congressional office desk."

Oh gasp! Oh, the horror! I am shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you!

When Jim Wright left (just shortly before he might have been arrested) we were told that he denuded his entire office. Nobody seemed to really care then or now.

Is this another example of selective outrage?

[RJL]

My email to the The Daily Telegraph:


I just read the article:

Congressional crook 'stole his own desk'
By David Rennie in Washington
(Filed: 28/11/2002)

This article incorrectly states that Mr. Traficant is an Ex-Republican.

From the list of his offenses it should be obvious that he is/was a member of the liberal Democratic party.

Ex-Republican Traficant is serving eight years in jail for a two-decade career of crime, including demanding bribes, accepting illegal gifts, misusing public funds, tax fraud and forcing public employees to shovel horse manure on his farm.

RJL

[2timothy3.16]

Ex-Republican Traficant

Traficant is a democrat.

James A. Traficant Jr. (Expulsion pursuant to H.Res. 495, July 24, 2002)
Ohio-17th,
Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515-3517
Phone: (202) 225-5261