Wednesday, April 22, 2009
 
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No reality TV trip to Costa Rica for Blagojevich

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[April 22, 2009]  CHICAGO -- Ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich's reality TV dreams were dashed Tuesday when a federal judge refused to let him leave the country to tape a show in the Costa Rican jungle, because it would interfere with his defense against racketeering and fraud charges.

HardwareAs Blagojevich looked on, U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel said staying in Chicago to help attorneys plan his defense will give the indicted former governor a better sense of the serious legal problems he faces -- including allegations he tried to auction off President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.

"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.

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.

Zagel held off ruling on whether Blagojevich may tap his $2 million campaign fund to pay lawyers but indicated he may be leaning toward giving approval. Zagel scheduled a May 1 hearing on the issue.

Blagojevich, 52, is charged with scheming to sell or trade the Senate seat and using the muscle of the governor's office to pressure companies for sizable campaign contributions.

Making sure he doesn't flee

Federal prosecutors opposed allowing him to go to Central America to star on the NBC reality show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" -- a program similar to "Survivor" in which contestants will be plopped down in the Costa Rican jungle to perform sweaty physical tasks and scheme to avoid elimination.

Blagojevich's attorney, Sheldon Sorosky, told Zagel the program would pay for retired marshals or FBI agents to make sure he didn't flee. But 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.

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Schar said Blagojevich may be facing 25 to 30 years behind bars if convicted, a strong incentive to run. And he said two of Blagojevich's former chiefs of staff, John Harris and Alonzo Monk, are expected to make deals to plead guilty and testify against the impeached governor.

Blagojevich said nothing during the hearing except to whisper to Sorosky.

Zagel said he had experience with extradition issues and didn't see that as a problem but was concerned Blagojevich needs to work on his defense and wouldn't be able to do so if he were in Costa Rica.

Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 after authorities said he was heard on FBI wiretaps discussing swapping the Obama seat for a Cabinet post, a new job or campaign money. Illinois lawmakers impeached him and booted him from office in January.

Water

A federal grand jury returned a 19-count indictment April 2 that accuses him and five others of corruption beginning before Blagojevich even took office. Blagojevich pleaded not guilty last week to charges including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy and attempted extortion, and making false statements.

[Associated Press; By MIKE ROBINSON]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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