A spokesperson for the family of Jim Traficant says that the former Valley congressman is not in a medically induced coma.

Attorney Heidi Hanni tells 21 News that the 73-year-old is on a respirator and listed in critical condition at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Hanni denies information from long time Traficant associate Linda Kovachik, who said earlier that Traficant was on life support and in a coma. 

Hanni would not comment on a claim from Kovachik that Traficant has had three heart attacks.

Traficant was hospitalized Tuesday night, after being found pinned beneath a tractor on the Green Township farm owned by his daughter Elizabeth.

Hanni told 21 News at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, that Elizabeth Traficant will issue a public statement on the situation within the following 24 hours. 

According to a statement from Goshen Police, Traficant was found by a Mercer County man just before 8:00 p.m. Tuesday who had stopped to buy some equipment at the West South Range Road farm.

Police say Traficant lost control of the tractor and struck a large steel blade. The tractor rolled over backwards onto Traficant, trapping him underneath.

When Green Township rescuers arrived on the scene, Traficant was unconscious. Firefighters lifted the tractor as a paramedic pulled the former congressman out from under the vehicle.

Traficant was taken to Salem Regional Hospital, and later transferred by medical helicopter to St. Elizabeth's Health center.

The accident occurred at the same farm that Traficant purchased in 1969, and became a focal point of the indictment that eventually led to a criminal conviction, and his ouster from congress.

The government claimed that Traficant granted political favors to two local contractors in return for them performing free work and providing free materials for projects on Traficant's farm.

He served a seven year prison term after being convicted of bribery, racketeering and tax evasion.

The former Mahoning County Sheriff and former member of the U.S. House of representatives has been largely absent from public life, following his release from federal prison five years ago.

In 2010, Traficant ran for his former Congressional seat and lost the election to current Valley Congressman Tim Ryan.

Congressman Ryan issued a statement saying, "I am saddened to hear this news about former Congressman Traficant. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

Stay connected with 21 News for the latest on this developing story.