Traficant, who is representing himself in the trial though he has no law degree, said keeping Youngstown-area residents off the jury would give prosecutors an unfair advantage. U.S. District Judge Lesley Wells ruled last month that the jurors would come from the Cleveland area, where the federal courthouse is located.

"I'm not being tried by a jury of my peers," Traficant, 60, told reporters as he entered the courthouse.

Wells denied Traficant's request to expand the jury pool, and she adjourned the trial until Friday so Traficant and prosecutors could review the 45-page questionnaire being answered by 100 prospective jurors.

Prosecutors accuse the nine-term Democratic congressman of accepting gifts and favors in exchange for lobbying in Washington. He also is charged with forcing his staff to make cash kickbacks to him or do favors for him at his horse farm.

The 10 charges of racketeering, bribery and other offenses carry up to 63 years in prison and $2.2 million in fines.