CLEVELAND — The jury in the bribery case against Rep. James Traficant began deliberating Monday after the blustery, nine-term congressman declared: “There's not one damn bit of evidence that anybody gave me any money.”

        Mr. Traficant, who is defending himself even though he is not a lawyer, suggested he was the victim of a government vendetta.

        “Does the IRS like me? Hates my guts,” he said. “They have too much power,” he said, pointing at the prosecution table.

        Federal prosecutor Craig Mor ford told jurors in his closing argument that while Mr. Traficant may have been an effective congressman, he is not above the law.

        “He can't use his public office as a trough to feed his personal appetite,” Mr. Morford said.

        Mr. Traficant, 60, a Democrat known for his arm-waving tirades on the House floor against the IRS and the FBI, is accused of taking kickbacks from staff members and accepting gifts and free labor from businessmen in exchange for political help. He also is accused of filing false tax returns.

        He faces up to 63 years in prison if convicted of all 10 counts. He probably would receive a much shorter sentence under sentencing guidelines.

        The jury broke for the night after deliberating three hours and was sequestered at an undisclosed location. Mr. Traficant, who at times has shouted during the trial and once stormed out of the courtroom, sat largely silent as the prosecutor spoke. However, he objected three times — once to the use of the word “joker” to describe a defense witness — and was overruled each time.

        Mr. Traficant argued that without tapes or photographs of him committing crimes, the only evidence against him was the testimony of witnesses who have pleaded guilty to other crimes and could be manipulated by the government.

Police union OKs profiling suit deal
Settlement provisions
Background on issues, settlement
City trying to raise $600,000 for lawyers
Violence part of daily life in Over-the-Rhine
Air security scare delays some flights
Airport security switches to new firm
Hunt goes on for missing Ala. man
PULFER: Thanks, farewell to Monte
RADEL: Cop gets second chance to help kids
Store manager shot dead in robbery
Suspect indicted on eight rape counts
Two students cited for volunteering
City seeking $1M for cement site
Doctor to head learning program
Drug prevention conference expected to draw 4,000 youths
Good News: Surgery gives man new role
Holocaust lesson for students
Lessons in paper-folding introduce children to Asian arts
Local Digest
Trees preserved for centuries
Trial opens in abuse case
Charged man suspected in heist
City center planners off to Denver
Kids study Deerfield sprawl
Lebanon to propose new phone rates
Butler-Warren recreation notes
Second-grader has best penmanship in state
Victim's children sue detective
Nine Cleveland priests suspended on sex abuse allegations
Traficant fate in jury's hands
Unmarked graves at building site baffle Frankfort