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Ex-Ohio Congressman Traficant Freed From Prison

(AP Photo/Craig Lassig) Former Ohio congressman Jim Traficant, left, is released from federal prison in Rochester, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009. Democrat Traficant is ending a seven-year federal prison stay for accepting bribes and other corruption ch

Traficant’s wife, Tish, told The Associated Press in an e-mail last week that she would pass along an AP interview request to her husband.

In Youngstown, former Traficant congressional staff member Linda Kovachik hung yellow ribbons outside her house to welcome Traficant home. She talked Tuesday with Tish Traficant, who indicated that her husband plans a short vacation after his release.

Probation requirements would require him to check in with his probation officer within several days of leaving prison.

According to Trolio, both his political supporters and opponents are pleased Traficant has been released.

“The majority of the (Mahoning River) valley — pro or con, I think — is glad to see him out and hopefully will give him some peace and let him go on with his life until he decides what he wants to do,” he said.

And what will that be? “Only Jim knows that,” Trolio said, adding that one possibility was hosting a talk show, a format that would showcase Traficant’s offbeat, quotable side.

Associated Press writer Thomas J. Sheeran in Cleveland also contributed to this report.