The indictment alleges that after a businessman bought a boat from Traficant, the congressman contacted the Federal Aviation Administration, supporting aircraft landing technology developed by the businessman's company, U.S. Aerospace Group of Manassas, Virginia. The businessman, John J. Cafaro of the Youngstown area, was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. In addition, he allegedly received part of a staff member's pay to allow the man to continue working for him. The indictment alleges Traficant and his wife did not report all of their income in tax years 1998 and 1999. If convicted on all charges, Traficant could get 63 years in prison and $2.2 million in fines, and the house could vote to expel him. The U.S. Justice Department has been investigating corruption in the Youngstown area for several years. Since the first indictments in 1997, more than 70 people have been convicted, including a judge, a prosecutor, a sheriff, and a Traficant aide.
On Friday May 11, 2001, James A. Traficant pleaded innocent to corruption charges and will represent himself even though he is not a lawyer. Traficant's exact words were, "I plead not guilty by reason of sanity."" There were many chuckles in the courtroom due to his plea. Traficant told a judge, "Your honor, I am comfortable with my defense. I'm facing a 10-count indictment. I have an education. I can read."" He also told U.S. District Judge Lesley Wells that a July 16 2001 trail date would be to soon for him to prepare. Wells pushed back the trail to February 4, 2002 and promised to help him avoid scheduling conflicts with congressional duties. He did the same thing in 1983 when he was acquitted of accepting mob bribes while Mahoning County sheriff. He lost a U.S. Tax Court case in 1987 stemming from the same issue. Traficant said, "I have had a bull's eye on my back ever since I defeated the Department of Justice, being the only American in United States history to have defeated the Justice Department,"" in a racketeering case while representing himself.