Congressman Holds Subpoenaed Papers

Wednesday, July 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CLEVELAND (AP) â€” Rep. James A. Traficant has refused to turn over documents subpoenaed by federal prosecutors because he fears the materials may be incriminating, his spokesman said.

``I wouldn't classify this as an admission of anything,'' spokesman Paul Marcone said Tuesday. ``These were documents that could potentially be used against him. He is simply exercising his rights'' against self-incrimination.

A public corruption probe has led to more than 70 convictions, including a judge, a prosecutor, a sheriff and a Traficant aide. The Ohio Democrat has repeatedly said he expects to be indicted because of his suspected ties to organized crime. He denies any wrongdoing.

Traficant was acquitted in 1983 on charges he accepted mob bribes, but he lost a U.S. Tax Court case in 1987 stemming from the same issues.

He complied with a December subpoena that requested his telephone, payroll and rent records. Marcone said Traficant thought material sought in May was ``personal'' and withheld it.

Marcone would not reveal what documents prosecutors had sought.