JAMES TRAFICANT’S T O U P É RELEASED FROM PRISON

Photo credit: About.com

Just in time to provide us with some badly needed comic relief, former Congressman James Traficant, removed from office when he was convicted of bribery, was released from prison on Sunday.

According to a story in the Washington Post, Traficant did not answer reporters questions as he left prison alone and rode home in a taxi.

But Traficant’s hair had plenty to say at a party later that day held in his honor.

He quoted Mandela as saying, “If you want to know the true nature of a country, you must go through its prisons.”

“I know America. I’ve seen the other side of it, and I don’t like it,” Traficant declared to cheers.

In 2002, in a trial in which Traficant represented himself, he was convicted of 10 felony counts, including accepting bribes and taking kickbacks.

But the defiant and eccentric Traficant we all loved to hate is back in rare form, more defiant than ever and looking refreshed.

Traficant has promised a major announcement later this week.

Should the 68 year old former sheriff seek to regain his seat in Congress, who could be better qualified?

Besides, in this economy, we need the laughs.
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Traficant Completes Sentence for Bribery (WaPo)

True to form, Traficant remains his own biggest fan (Youngstown Vindicator)