ROCHESTER, Minnesota (CNN) – Former Rep. James Traficant was released from federal prison Wednesday.
CNN affiliates KTTC and KAAL report that Traficant - sporting knee socks, shorts and a t-shirt, with his hair pulled back in a ponytail - left the Federal Medical Center prison facility in Rochester, Minnesota Wednesday morning in a cab.
Despite earlier reports that the nine-term Democratic congressman was headed for the local Greyhound station, the morning bus headed for his hometown area of Youngstown, Ohio left without him on board, and his name did not appear on the manifest.
Traficant served just over seven years in federal prison for charges that included obstruction of justice, tax evasion and bribery.
–CNN All Platform Journalist Chris Welch contributed to this story
(updated 12:30 pm with new information)
From CNN Politics
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Was he always a democrat? I thought only republicans were corrupt? At least that is what our Dear Leaders tell us through you, the 4th estate (or is it the 4th branch, I can't recall).
So there is a cell open for Rangle?
The dude has a wombat on his head.
Holy Hair doo Batman...
hahahahaha...Was he arrested by the fashion police?
I hope he runs for his old seat in Ohio. Another whack job in congress. No worse than the rest (except for the hair).
His big sin was being in the wrong part of government. "Obstruction of justice, tax evasion, and bribery" are what governors do when they fill a senate seat, or what cabinet appointees do. Maybe he can try one of these fields now.
Great job, 9 times the idiots in this guys District voted for him. The bureaucratic lawyers in Washington creating the legislation for the laws under which our government operates have manipulated our laws in such a manner as to allow our elected officials to accept bribes, they are called campaign contributions! Americans need to wake up and demand voter reform, campaign funding reform, term limits and anything else that keeps these lifer bureaucrats in check!
Beam me up!
I remember him. He was such a loud mouth he did himself in. That hair is a crime.
"The nine-term Democratic congressman served just over seven years in federal prison for charges that included obstruction of justice, tax evasion and bribery."
_________________
Given these qualifications, I'm sure there's a job in the Obama administration he would be good at.
He did 7 yrs at the Spa, but he still a "Star", Way?
I personally believe that an elected official who takes a bribe should get much more than 8 years. So should the people who bribe him or her.
However, Traficant has served his time and paid his debt to society. He has restored himself to our good graces. Let us hope he is a productive and honest citizen from here on.
Now if we can just get the rest of the crooked dems who dont pay taxes and accept bribes among many other things.
There are many more criminal politicians and they should all go to jail.
Both Democrat and Republican. Those who forgive any of these criminal politicians just because they identify with being on the same "team" should be ashamed of themselves.
2 party rule is no longer working for the best interest of Americans.
Hold the phone! To hear liberals tell it , the only crooks and criminals are in the GOP! The truth is this guy doesn't represent the whole of the Dem party. Too bad liberals don't share that point of view when it comes to the GOP! Right liberals??
Wow, did I read that James Traficant is a democrat. But I thought democrats were all "high and mighty". Guess they are not any different then anyone else. I can name a dozen dems who have publicly committed a crime over the past 10 years. So what makes them any different?
Democratic Culture of Corruption & bad hair.
The bird has flown the coop! He was a pompus windbag who didn't want to be accountable. I hope he has learned his lesson!
Why aren't bush, cheyney and rove in prison for the more serious crimes of treason, murder and lying???
Those wacky Democrats and their taxes. When is Charlie Wrangle going to go to jail, or at least pay a fine like the rest of us? After all it is that waskelly wabbit's third time with his, oops, tax mishap. Wasn't it Vice President Biden who said if you don't pay your fair share of taxes, then you are "unpatriotic"?
The nine-term Democratic congressman surely destined to be re-elected by his mindless liberal supporters in Youngstown Ohio if he can just find the right 2nd grade cartoon catch phrase.., Yes he can!!
When are Rangal and Murtha and half of Obama's cabinet going to the big house?
He can now run for re-election and the nitwit Democrats will again vote him in.
Off base, don't think so, I live in Mass and these fools voted for a murderer in the Senate 8 times.
Our other SEnator committed treason upon coming back fron nam, and yet he has been re-elected 4 times, BUT NOT NEXT YEAR LIVESHOT.
The democrats have their poster boy back.
Another lying, cheating, corrupt democrat? No way!
Here is the chance for the intellectual light weights who watch Fox entertainment to respond. Go get him.
He did his time, now...
Lets put Bush, that "Dick" Cheney, Gonzo, Rummy and the rest of that rethuglican anti-constitution, war mongering American soldier killing cabal on trial so they can do theirs.
NO MORE RETHUGLICANS – NO MORE EVANGELICAL HOODLUMS!
Dude... what's with that hair???????????????
Traficant and Blagojevich, the REAL soul of the democratic party.
He can still have a bright future ahead of him. He can become a highly paid lobbyist like so many of his former buddies, or he can land a spot on "Dancing with the Stars" like "twinkle toes DeLay".
Dang!! On a Greyhound bus headed home; you mean none of the folks that 'benefitted' from his 'creative' tax-filing showed up to offer the man a ride home? Tsk.
Great!! One down and only thousands to go. I'll bet almost every American would appreciate seing the list of the FIFTY TWO THOUSAND American citizens who have secret Swiss bank accounts almost certainly opened for one reason – TO AVOID INCOME TAXES.
I'll bet one other thing. Unless someone files a lawsuit under the Freedom-of -Information Act, the names of these tax evaders will never be released to the American public. And do you know why? Because releasing these names would reveal some of the most influential people in America – probably highly regarded families and politicians.
Good luck!
Look for him to start running for office tomorrow...
Let's hope this is one crook who remains unemployed.
The way things are going either barkey obama will make him some kind of czar over something or he will be reelectedto congress.
Was he allowed to wear that terrible toupe while in prison?
Whit Traficant's experience with obstruction of justice, tax evasion and bribery, he is a lock to be named to the Obama White House team
His hair is awesome ... FACT
That is some crazy hair...
He'll now be running for President – of Hair Club for Men.
A real liberals liberal he is. This is pretty funny though, he went to prison for obstruction of justice, tax evasion and bribery, I mean aren't these exactly what the average Democrat expects from their Congressmen and why they are Democrats and support Democrats in the first place?
If only Traficant's place could be taken by Charlie Rangel, another thief in Democrat clothing.
and other thieves and thugs gets away with just little no prison
A democrat convicted of tax evasion....I would like to nominate him as treasury secretary. Thats why democrats don't care if we raise taxes.....they don't pay them........just like welfare
I always loved the dead possum he kept on his head!!!!!
So when will he launch his (Democratic) re-election campaign?
Figures, a Democrap!
I'm sure there's a job for him in this administration. I wonder what he looks like w/o the dead possum perched on his head??
What a dramatic fall from grace, this once influential legislator with relative power. Probably used to be driven in limos, now taking a cab to the Greyhound station. Only in America can one's rise and fall be so instant, so steep, so public.
Don Henley's right - we do live in a graceless age. There's nothing pretty about it. Goes back to the oldest truism of all, love of money is the root of all evil. Why is it that we all know this, and yet we are all vulnerable when the right situation comes along? ALL of us, without exception. Do you think Bernie Madoff, sitting in a jail cell for the rest of his life, would like to have a do-over?
Felon=Democrat. How many Republican felons can you think of? Not too many...
Have you noticed that most of these corrupted convicted politicians come from the Chicago area.
Meet Obama's new Prison Czar.
Run, Jim, run....for your old seat. The liberty movement needs you.
This has got to be the goofiest looking guy I've seen in awhile.
Maybe Rangel should give him a call...He might need a few pointers from someone who has already been "inside".
Yes, one Democrat getting convicted of a felony means that all liberals are felons.Using this logic, I must assume that all Republicans have slippery feet in bathroom stalls.
Seriously people, there's jerks on both sides of the aisle.
When will republican Tom 'Twinkle Toes' DeLay serve his time in the slammer?
Hopefully,Rush will soon takes his place and keep his cot and his cellmate happy.
he's going back to Youngtown where they'll elect him back to congress.
I don't know about his timing. Are there any cabinet posts still open?
I see their are several Republicans idiots replying. Lets not starting pointing fingers because there are many felons in the Republican party who haven't been caught yet. Key word is YET!
I love this guy, I am glad he is out. We need a fighter like him. He did his time for his crime and now he can start over.
Tomorrow Pres. Obama will appoint him to a position in the administration. He will get along swimmingly with all of the other tax evaders running our country.
Does anybody notice that a not-so-flattering story about a Republican always includes "Republican" in the title, yet a story about a Democrat does not? CNN, at least try to hide your bias!
Is that a tribble on his head?
Do you have his hair stylist's phone number?
I thought I smelled something....
If Traficant was a "Democrat", Joe McCarthy was a Communist!
Now that there is an opening in this federal prison, Ensign, Sanford or Cheney will have a place to stay. Who's first in line??
"I'm not only the president, I'm also a client". Sorry, too easy! On a serious note, for a party that loves to tax and spend, they sure do know how to avoid spending on their own taxes! Sure there are idiots on both sides of the aisle, but when it comes to tax evasion, Democrats are in a league of their own.
Just thought I'd give a few of you out there a little
update. Now here this................
BUSH AND CHENEY ARE OUT OF OFFICE !!!
Find a hobby .....or maybe even a job !!!
This guy was a democrat, but I bet he is actually a closet republican.
When will Bush and Cheney be subpoenaed for war crimes trials in The Hague?
Hey, you changed pictures! This bozo and ol' boy Blago must have the same hair dresser.
amazing how no one seems to have any context on who jim traficant is.
beam me up.
i yield back any common sense i have left after reading your comments.
He can reopen the Bad Newz Kennels.
For the people ranting about Democratic crooks, take a break from your scary partisan rants please. There are unethical crooks, cheats and liars on both sides. I live in Illinois, and we've got George Ryan and Blago. Two different parties, same illegal dealings.
Why doesn't CNN put "Democrat" in the headline...we'll heck we all already know the answer to that.
I say the Big O should appoint him to the admin. After living on the Government dole for these past years, he should be in a good position to advise the Prez to continue working towards the enslavement of America.
If they would prosecute al the crooks in Congress, the chamber would be empty. By the way Congressman Jefferson of Louisana can take his spot. Traricante left the light on for him...
Lets hope he learned something,and gets a new toupe while hes at it.There are only a few rightwing paid street teamers on here that use a ton of names to try and make us think their numbers are many than there really are,most of them need serious mental help in my opinion.
Mr Traficant...Mr Spitzer on line 1....he says he needs a campaign manager
Canton is too close to Youngstown. Please keep him in Minnesota for a while longer...OK?
BEAM ME UP!
I yield back the balance of my time to Hewey, Dewey and Louie, the only three ethical businessmen in cartoons.
"Traficat was one of the worst Republicans this country has seen"
He is a Democrat, not a Republican.
I thought bribery, tax evasion, and obstruction were the job requirements for a politician. No matter what party they claim to represent.
Just wait until UBS turns over the names of swiss bank account holders to the IRS and they go public. You will see most of the names in congress on that list!!!
That sucks he is leaving all of his democratic congressman and voters behind. He must be sad. Makes room for Rangle.
Let's hope he learned how to do something with that hair of his. Before he went to prison his hair looked like a cheap toupee.
Obama ...will give him a job.
I bet he still gets his retirement and benefits. Where as you or I would have forfeited ours and/or had to pay our own legal fees.
Everything seems to work out in the end for politicians while we tax payers just GET it our end
I live in Youngstown, Ohio. I'm not fan of Mr. Traficant, however, the man did his time – without special perks or cushy accommodations.
I respect that.
Like Huey Long, he did a lot of good before he did a lot of bad.
As a former Ohioan, I can testify that, despite his corruption, he was an extremely popular Congressman....even after the charges came to light. Don't be surprised if the good people of Youngstown decide to send him back to Washington!
Good he got caught and went to jail. Now can we lock up some Bush administration officials, and that include Bush and Chenney if the evidence warrants.
Whether one is a Democrat or Republican, if you commit crime then you should do the time, no politician should be above the law and it's time to prove that to Bush/Cheney.
Hey look, anothe DEMOCRATIC TAX CHEAT, He is on his way to work for Obama.
Oh look. Now there is room for Dick Cheney and good 'ole GW
I bet he's a cheat and lier just like Palin, Sanford, Chenney and all the other losers cronies who work in the GOP party of no ideas and no solution accept deceiving the American public and making up false stories.
Our next "Federal Ethics Czar" is ready for duty...
Of course all of the Righties are jumping on the "ha-ha-neener-neener, Democrats" bandwagon about this. Yeah, he's a crook, yeah, he was/is a Democrat and yeah, he served his time.
Any of you Righties who are dumb enough to believe that a Republican can't or hasn't or won't in the future be just a crooked are just plain . . . . well, dumb. There are crooks on both sides of the aisle folks . . . let's try not to forget that while we're sticking our tongues out at the other side!
Just because Traficant was a Democrat does not mean he was liberal. In fact anyone who has payed attention to his record would know that he voted with the Republicans more than the Democrats once the Republicans took control after the '94 election. The Democrats even stripped him of seniority and his committee seats before his conviction. Basically he was one of the last Democrats that was more conservative than a lot of Republicans, he just never switched parties because he knew he would never win an election as a republican.
I am a conservative Republican and hope he gets elected back into Congress – he was entertaining to say the least and we need some levity in our elected leaders and he sure provided it
Prison for tax evasion........................uh oh Tim Geithner.
It certainly doesn't matter what party they belong to, does it? Traficant,Spitzer,Sanford,Palin, they are all crooks and hypocrites. This is what happens when corporate monies elect congressmen, rather than the people. It's high time America started taking their government back from the corporations.
Will Rangel get his cell?
Notice that the liberals here are lying again and saying that he is a republican. Almost every Democrat believes that they can re-write history and change the facts to be anything they'd like. That's what type of vile people they are.
James Anthony Traficant, Jr. was a Democratic Representative in Congress from Ohio (1985 to 2002), yet all the Democrats here are saying he isn't a Democrat and that he is a Republican. They said the same about Blago. CNN knows their fellow libs will spew this lie, that is why they leave out mentioning the crook is a Democrat.
Keep this in mind whenever the Democrat says something. Health Care, equality, the economy, it really doesn't matter the subject, if you find out that the person typing or speaking is a Democrat, what they are telling you is a lie 100% of the time. Remember how Micheal Phelps felt when he won that relay race in Bejing? That is how every Democrat in America feels when they tell their lies, this is the type of person they are, dishonesty is their true religion.
A few of those TAX doggers in Obama's cabinet should have been in prison with him.
Cheney here is the empty cubical for you /the door will have
such a beautifull sound as it closes behind you.
We will be real happy for you being in there as well .
Welcome home Jim!
ALL politicians are crooks. Only a few ever get caught.
Two laws we desperately need in this country: 1. A person convicted of a felony while in office immediately loses the seat and can NEVER be elected to ANY office again; and 2. TERM LIMITS FOR CONGRESS!!!
all politicians, both parties do it. he just got caught. his only mistake was in being careless.