Wife of ex-Ill. gov. to compete in reality show

[May 21, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich wasn't allowed to appear in a network television reality show in Costa Rica, but his wife will.

A federal judge barred the former governor from leaving the country to do the show pending his political corruption trial in Chicago.

But the couple told NBC's "Today" show Thursday that she will appear on the network's upcoming season of "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here" in the Central American country.

Patti Blagojevich says her involvement will show that her profanity-laced comments in secret recordings by federal prosecutors don't reflect who she really is.

The former governor says that although he won't be a contestant, he will be involved with the show in some way.

[Associated Press]

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