CLEVELAND — A judge reprimanded U.S. Rep. James Traficant Jr. on Thursday for belittling prosecutors in the congressman's corruption trial.

        U.S. District Court Judge Lesley Wells ordered him to sit down and then lectured him after Mr. Traficant, referring to the prosecution, said, “They have the testicles of an ant.”

        Mr. Traficant, although he's not a lawyer, is defending himself against charges of taking kickbacks from staff members, accepting gifts and free labor from businessmen for his political help, and filing false tax returns.

        He faces up to 63 years in prison if convicted of all 10 counts against him.

        Judge Wells stopped short Thursday of imposing any penalties on the congressman.

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