The Associated Press

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Congress wants imprisoned ex-Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., D-Ohio, to return nine congressional office furniture items that it believes are government property.

An auctioneer working with Mr. Traficant's family had planned to auction a conference table, end table, six chairs and coat rack on Sunday.

Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Administration Committee that manages the House side of the Capitol, said there was no evidence that Mr. Traficant had purchased the items. Departing members of Congress are allowed to buy their desks and chairs.

"We realize in the haste of moving, certain items could have been transferred," Mr. Ney said Tuesday.

Auctioneer Jeff Anglin and Patricia Traficant, the ex-congressman's wife, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Messages were left at Mr. Anglin's auction house near Youngstown and at the Traficant home.

The other items on the auction block include a wooden yoke, a collection of federal duck stamps, several church pews, wall art and lamps.

Mr. Traficant, 61, was convicted on racketeering charges in April and later was expelled from the House. In August, he began serving an eight-year sentence at the Allenwood federal prison in White Deer, Pa.

On Nov. 5 Mr. Traficant, running as an independent, lost his jailhouse campaign to retake the 17th District congressional seat.