In 1983, Traficant defended himself in a federal racketeering case when he was Mahoning County sheriff, convincing a jury that money he took from the mob was part of a sting operation he was running to bust organized crime. That victory helped propel him to the House in 1984.
Recently he has been exiled by House Democrats for voting with Republicans to elect House Speaker Dennis Hastert and is the only member of Congress without a committee assignment.
His district was eliminated this year, and he has said he will run for re-election as an independent in a neighboring district.