Traficant's drive to return to Congress may stall with petitions this week

Former U.S. Rep. James Traficant's drive to return to Congress may stall this week.

The Ohio Democrat submitted more than 3,000 signatures this spring as required by law in his effort to return to public office, but officials in several counties say some signatures may be invalid. The former congressman needs about 2,200 signatures to qualify to run as an independent candidate in the state's 17th congressional district.

Officials in one county are meeting on Tuesday to consider the signatures.

Traficant in December started circulating petitions in three different districts, but settled on the 17th District in May.

The former congressman was convicted in 2002 for racketeering, bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion. He served seven years in prison and was released in September 2009.