Judge To Blago: No Reality Show For You
A judge has ruled that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich may not go to Costa Rica to take part in a reality TV show, because the judge doesn't think the former governor will come back.
Judge James B. Zagel also said in court that Blagojevich is broke, and taxpayer funds will have to be used for his criminal defense.
Blagojevich arrived in court at the Dirksen Federal Building just a few minutes ahead of time for an 11 a.m. hearing. He had hoped to ask for permission to travel to Costa Rica to appear on the NBC reality program "I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here," which will be filmed in June.
Blagojevich was ordered to surrender his passport when he was hit with federal corruption charges, so he had to ask Zagel for permission to leave the country.
Zagel deemed Blagojevich a flight risk and said no. Thet judge also dismissed an offer by representatives from the show to pay retired law enforcement members to keep an eye on the former governor while he taped the show, saying they would have no jurisdiction or authority in Costa Rica anyway.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar said there was no way to predict whether Blagojevich would seek to stay in Costa Rica or make a break for a neighboring country that has no extradition treaty with the United States.
Zagel also said Blagojevich has not done his homework, and has not come to a full understanding of what he faces.
"I don't think this defendant fully understands and I don't think he could understand ... the position he finds himself in," Zagel told the hearing.
Blagojevich said nothing during the hearing except to whisper to his defense attorney, Sheldon Sorosky.
But on his way out of the courthouse, Blagojevich told the usual swarm of media and onlookers that he's "going to play a very big role, a significant role" in his defense.
"I'm fully aware of what the allegations are and I know what the truth is concerning me and I know that I've done absolutely nothing wrong," Blagojevich said.
The former governor pleaded not guilty last week to a 19-count indictment. He faces a wide range of accusations, among them that he attempted to sell President Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat in exchange for campaign contributions, and that he threatened to withhold state assistance to the Tribune Company in selling Wrigley Field if the Chicago Tribune did not fire certain editorial writers.
But the real Blagojevich is himself well accustomed to star treatment and attention, after telling his story and proclaiming his innocence to every national network that would have him. He made appearances on programs ranging from "The View" and "Larry King Live" to "The Late Show with David Letterman."
Blagojevich was arrested in December, and he has remained free since then because he is not considered a threat to society or a flight risk. He has also been allowed to travel outside the state for his national TV appearances, but had not asked to leave the country until now.
Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, have been out of work for several months, and the reality show might have earned him up to $80,000 per episode.