Judge Allows Blagojevich to Appear on 'Celebrity Apprentice'
A federal judge is allowing Rod Blagojevich to appear on The Celebrity Apprentice despite prosecutors’ concerns that the former Illinois governor’s comments will taint the jury pool.
At a hearing in Chicago on Monday, U.S. District Judge James Zagel asked prosecutors and defense lawyers to reach an agreement governing Blagojevich’s statements on the show, according to the New York Times and Reuters. He said he only wants to hear from the lawyers if the agreement is violated, WGN-TV reports.
Blagojevich, who is accused of trying to sell the Senate seat once held by Barack Obama, is already filming the show in New York. Other contestants include Sharon Osbourne and Cyndi Lauper.
Zagel said he has watched The Celebrity Apprentice twice, and he is concerned about Blagojevich’s appearance on the show, according to the Reuters account. “I don’t want to create something that makes a mess, for everybody,” Zagel said.
“There is much more here than a game show. There is a confessional element where people say things about themselves and about other people.”
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