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Like most, Jim was not a saint and he was not evil incarnate either. In Youngstown Ohio is was expected that the Sheriff would play ball with the mob.

I actually having been on the scene in Y-town in those days do believe that he was playing both sides in order to get over on them. At the time there were two rival mob families in Y-town. The mills were closing money was drying up and in steps Traficant.

I do believe that his heart was always in the right place. I do believe that had he stayed with the party line in DC, he would have been protected. He went against the party and they punished him for it. He made mistakes but there are far greater crooks in the House of Representatives right now then Jim ever was.

He was smart, but he went with his heart and his gut. That got him into trouble. He was a character, but it was not for show. That's just who he was. The most important thing to remember about him. He stood up to the government and they tried to destroy him. He took his punishment like a man and came out the other side. That's his legacy. RIP Jim.