YOUNGSTOWN — U.S. Rep. James Traficant, who insisted on defending himself during his corruption trial, has hired two lawyers to assist with his appeal.

        Mr. Traficant said on Thursday that he has picked Columbus lawyers Percy Squire and Lloyd Pierre-Louis as co-counsel for his appeal, but the congressman said he will continue to lead the defense team.

        Mr. Pierre-Louis would not comment about the case, other than to say that he is working for Mr. Traficant without pay. Mr. Squire did not return a call seeking comment.

        Mr. Traficant, a Youngstown Democrat, refused to hire a lawyer for his trial, saying an attorney could be intimidated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

        Throughout the 10-week trial in U.S. District Court in Cleveland, Mr. Traficant struggled with courtroom procedures and grew frustrated as the judge declared much of his evidence inadmissible. He was found guilty of all 10 counts against him April 11, including accepting bribes from businessmen in exchange for lobbying regulators on their behalf.

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