Traficant: The Congressman of Crimetown

IMDb 9.2 2015 ‱ 88 min ‱ Documentary

Director

Eric Murphy

Country

US

Plot Summary

Jim Traficant was a legendary quarterback turned mob busting Walking Tall Sheriff who rose to power on a platform of “honesty in politics”. He quickly ascended to the hallowed halls of Congress, becoming its most outspoken member. "Jimbo" as his die-hard supporters called him, was known for his polyester thrift store suits, shock top wigs, vulgar humor and profanity laced rhetoric against the FBI, IRS, and every president since Reagan. His one minute speeches made C-SPAN must see programming, as he signed off with his patented “Beam Me Up!” In his post-industrial hometown of Youngstown, Ohio -- dubbed Crimetown, USA for being the most mobbed up city in America -- "Jimbo" was a living legend, once garnering more than 90% of the vote. However, the eccentric maverick also had a dark side, becoming only the second Member of Congress expelled since the Civil War, eventually spending over seven years in federal prison on bribery and tax evasion charges.

Top Cast

Ed O'Neill
Ed O'Neill Self
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart Self (archive footage)
Dan Rather
Dan Rather Self (archive footage)
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton Self (archive footage)
Phil Donahue
Phil Donahue Self