Blago Cleared For "Celebrity Apprentice"
Federal judge decides former governor can attend "The Apprentice"
By NICOLA ORICHUIA
Updated 2:06 PM CDT, Tue, Oct 20, 2009
It's showtime.
U.S. District Judge James Zagel won't bar Blago from appearing in the new season of “Celebrity Apprentice,” but asked that Blagojevich's attorneys and federal prosecutors meet to evaluate the impact the show might have on an upcoming corruption trial.
Prosecutors didn't seek to stop Blagojevich from pursuing his TV aspirations, despite initial fears an appearance on Donald Trump’s reality-show in March would taint the pool of prospective jurors in the corruption case that is set to start June 3.
Blagojevich, who did not attend today's hearing, will be joining former stars such as ‘80s singers Cyndi Lauper and Brett Michaels, Sharon Osbourne, baseball great Darryl Strawberry and comedian Sinbad on the show.
Blagojevich had previously been denied a presence on another reality program called “I’m a Celebrtiy, Get Me Out of Here!”.
In April, the former Illinois governor was not allowed to fly to Costa Rica to participate in the program; Judge Zagel said Blagojevich should concentrate on preparing for the upcoming criminal trial.
First Published: Oct 19, 2009 12:25 PM CDT on NBC Chicago
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