Judge says 'no' to Rod Blagojevich reality show
'I do not have confidence that things will not go astray,' Zagel says
It’s a big no on the reality show.
A federal judge ruled today that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich cannot go to Costa Rica to film a reality show, saying he does not “have confidence’’ that Blagojevich will comply with the conditions of his bail.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
“It’s way too soon. I don’t think this defendant in all honesty ... fully understands the position he finds himself in,’’ said U.S. District Judge James Zagel in denying the bid.
Blagojevich asked Zagel if he could travel to Costa Rica to appear on the “Survivor’’-style reality show “I’m a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here.’’
Zagel’s rejection is a financial blow to Blagojevich, who stood to make as much as $123,000 from the show, according to a defense motion.
As he entered the federal courthouse in downtown Chicago before the hearing, Blagojevich said he had “no choice’’ but to do things such as film the reality show to earn money.
“I have to do it for my kids,” said Blagojevich, who, in a separate deal, has been paid a $21,000 advance to write a book, due out in October. “I have to support my family.’’
Zagel said the ex-governor doesn’t seem to understand the gravity of the charges he faces — in part because Blagojevich hasn’t seen all the evidence.
“I do not have confidence that things will not go astray if I modify bond conditions,’’ Zagel said.
The judge denied the request even after NBC offered to hire two court-selected security guards to watch over Blagojevich while he filmed the show in Costa Rica.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar said the weight of the evidence against Blagojevich is significant. That includes the tape recordings, as well as the cooperation of two of his former chiefs of staff — John Harris and Lon Monk. If convicted, Blagojevich faces 25 to 30 years in prison, Schar said, saying that would be another motivation to flee.
The ex-governor’s lawyer, Sheldon Sorosky, argued that Blagojevich would not leave his wife and two daughters here in Chicago and that he needed to do the show for employment.
But prosecutors raised issues with the difficulties of extraditing someone from Costa Rica and said that even a signed waiver of extradition wouldn’t help to legally get Blagojevich back if he decided to jump bail.
In a positive sign for Blagojevich, Zagel said he’s leaning toward allowing defense lawyers to tap in to his previously frozen campaign fund, which totals about $2 million.
Upon leaving the courthouse, Blagojevich said of the judge's denial: “It’s another day in the city.”
NBC Entertainment issued a statement, saying “NBC is disappointed in the court’s decision today regarding Rod Blagojevich’s participation on “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!,” but excited about the casting announcement for the show this Friday. There are no plans to move the show to a location in the United States.”
Earlier this morning, the media was stationed outside the front of the federal courthouse. Blagojevich emerged from the Dunkin’ Donuts across the street with a broad smile on his face.
Deputy U.S. Marshals crossed the street to meet him over there.
Then the media horde followed. A Pace bus hit its brakes as media scattered across the street.
Blagojevich crossed the street with the crush of people, who were walking backwards. A microphone dropped. The ex-governor crouched down to pick it up. “Whose is this?”
“Thanks governor,” a reporter said. ”All right,” Blagojevich responded.
Once inside the elevator, Blagojevich apologized to the deputy marshals for drawing the horde. They told him it wasn’t his fault. The two deputies said they were going to start bringing the ex-governor into the building through another location because of all the media craziness.
“But then they come to my home,” Blagojevich said.
At one point, someone from the public handed Blagojevich a Tiffany bag with a box in it. “I hope that’s not ticking,” one of his deputy marshal escorts told Blagojevich, who assured them it had gone through a security scan when he entered the building.
Blagojevich's lawyer, Sheldon Sorosky, told chief deputy U.S. Marshal John O’Malley that the ex-governor should have hired him as his chief of security or chief of staff. O’Malley looked surprised and suggested he was confusing him with someone else.
On his way down the hallway, Blagojevich stopped to shake hands and talk in Spanish to people sitting in the hallway waiting. Looking serious and sympathetic, he said: “buena suerte,” (good luck). It turned out they were there for a swearing-in citizenship ceremony.