April 21, 2009
Posted: April 21st, 2009 02:29 PM ET
A Federal judge has denied ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's request to travel to Central America to take part in a reality TV show.
A Federal judge has denied ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's request to travel to Central America to take part in a reality TV show.

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) – A Federal judge has denied ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's request to travel to Central America to take part in a reality TV show.

Blagojevich had signed on to "be dropped into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle" in a celebrity competition, according to the NBC television network.

But his participation depended U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel lifting travel restrictions imposed when the former governor was indicted on federal corruption charges, the network said.

Zagel, in a Tuesday morning hearing, called it "a bad idea" and suggested Blagojevich find another way to earn money, according CNN affiliate WLS-TV.

The judge told Blagojevich he should stay remain in the United States to work on his defense, WLS reported.

Blagojevich, who was impeached and removed from office earlier this year, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A federal grand jury indicted him this month on 16 felony counts, including racketeering, conspiracy, wire fraud and making false statements to investigators.

He is accused with scheming to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Obama.

Blagojevich denies all charges.

The reality show - "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" - is based on a successful British show, NBC said.

"Ten celebrities of various backgrounds will be dropped into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle to face challenges designed to test their skills in adapting to the wilderness and to raise money for their favorite charities," the NBC statement said.

The show is scheduled to air over four weeks in June, the network said.

Filed under: Rod Blagojevich


arithmetic is liberal   April 21st, 2009 6:14 pm ET

There IS a God!

Proud American   April 21st, 2009 6:13 pm ET

I say let him go, but don't allow him back in......

Voice of reason   April 21st, 2009 5:26 pm ET

This man is so messed up. And the sad thing is, he doesn't even seem to realize it. I feel sorry for his children.

Mississippi Mike   April 21st, 2009 5:14 pm ET

Let's hope he can't find his way out.

MJM   April 21st, 2009 5:11 pm ET

Put him on the comedy station with the cable guy, Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy, and all those others, it will make him run home to momma crying his little heart out!!!!

KG, Twin Cities   April 21st, 2009 5:10 pm ET

Hey Rod, my car needs washing.

The Last Patriot   April 21st, 2009 5:04 pm ET

Reality TV is out, eh? Well perhaps he can join the Obama administration, I'm sure there are some available "czar" positions. He seems to have just the right moral fiber.

Cynthia   April 21st, 2009 5:01 pm ET

Thank you he should not be traveling all around the world like he is a celebrity.

Joe the Troll   April 21st, 2009 4:46 pm ET

We could always drop him in the middle of East St. Louis.

marcus   April 21st, 2009 4:45 pm ET

in one word....... SWEET !!!!!!! send the idiot to jail... blago just does NOT get it..

Christian   April 21st, 2009 4:43 pm ET

I think they should let him go....it would be great to hear when whatever carnivore there is in those jungles enjoyed themselves a B-Lo sandwich.

Sharon - NC   April 21st, 2009 4:41 pm ET

Perhaps the Judge should reconsider and just agree that he can only be dropped in the middle of a Costa Rican jungle, with no production crew to save him.

Saad   April 21st, 2009 4:41 pm ET

Cool.... now hand him over to Somalian pirates.

Fred L. Fraud   April 21st, 2009 4:39 pm ET

Hey Rod – your "fame" clock is at 14:59.

Donna from Colorado Springs   April 21st, 2009 4:38 pm ET

Great news! Now there will be one less idiot on tv!

Colin Flannery   April 21st, 2009 4:30 pm ET

I am pleased to see this has-been has taken the next step in his Tanya Harding like slide from the sublime to the ridiculous. I say drop him in the jungle, just don't use a parachute.

Bill G   April 21st, 2009 4:24 pm ET

The one distinction that seems to be forgotten here is that this idiot is not a CELEBRITY - he is a CRIMINAL (excuse me, "alleged" criminal). NBC should be ashamed of itself for even entertaining inviting this idiot as a contestant on the show.

Larry   April 21st, 2009 4:20 pm ET

I think old Blogo is going to get a little reality right here in the good old USA ...

Hang Um High ...

Doraine Gordon   April 21st, 2009 4:17 pm ET

Good for the Judge! He made the right decision. Why should we have to have a criminal in our living room? I'm sure he has lots of other plans to make money. Let him use them.

bill   April 21st, 2009 4:10 pm ET

NBC knew that blago would never get permission for a trip out of the country facing 16 indictments. They wanted to get some free publicity for their new show.

Anonymous   April 21st, 2009 4:06 pm ET

infamous maybe!

Bob in Pa   April 21st, 2009 4:01 pm ET

Aw Judge, let hime go. If he doesn't come back then better for us. If he does come back, seize his salary for payment of his prosecution.

Thomas   April 21st, 2009 3:58 pm ET

In another story about this criminal, it stated that he wants to use $2 Million of his campaign monies to pay for his legal expenses. This guy sure does have a big pair!!! What nerve!

hope over fear   April 21st, 2009 3:57 pm ET

Thank God.

Steph   April 21st, 2009 3:56 pm ET

Thank the Lord...our justice system works!

Jim   April 21st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

Hey Blago, may I suggest you begin a career doing something you're obviously good at...like slinging bull dung with a pitchfork or cleaning toilets! Whatever you decide to do, just go away and leave us alone...PLEASE.

Cerena   April 21st, 2009 3:50 pm ET

I think they should drop in the the jungle and leave him there....FOREVER!

Simmy   April 21st, 2009 3:49 pm ET

Blago would have probably gotten lost in the jungle anyway....

Malik   April 21st, 2009 3:44 pm ET

Here is a man who is facing prison time and is looking to appear on a reality TV show.Well Rob here a great name for your show "25 to Life".

Katie   April 21st, 2009 3:41 pm ET

Heck yeah, drop him off in the jungle, without a camera crew, without food & water, he cant hurt no one over there.....very good choice

Mary   April 21st, 2009 3:40 pm ET

I was hoping he would go - and just get lost

Irishny   April 21st, 2009 3:35 pm ET

Its a sad day when being a massively corrupt polician is enough to get yourself some extra cash by going on reality tv shows

elizabeth   April 21st, 2009 3:29 pm ET

The judge made a good call. Drop Rod off in the jungle, he may never surface. I think he knows it is over.

FreeNLovIt   April 21st, 2009 3:29 pm ET

This is AMerica. It would have been good to see someone doing good for America. You know boosting ratings and boosting the economy through his work.

FreeNLovIt   April 21st, 2009 3:26 pm ET

What a complete jerk!

Suzan   April 21st, 2009 3:24 pm ET

I think he was hoping to disappear into the jungle with his millions...too bad he got a smart judge.

Jackie in Dallas   April 21st, 2009 3:20 pm ET

Good. I hope all plans that Blagojovich makes to benefit monetarily from his crass political manuevers get effectively squashed, as well.

obama/mama   April 21st, 2009 3:19 pm ET

Oh well Blago. Guess you have to find another escape route. Maybe you can tell them you want to volunteer over in Afghanistan and hide out in one of their villages. You may have to cut the bang though.

Mark WI.   April 21st, 2009 3:17 pm ET

Maybe Blago will try selling his TV spot to the highest bidder also!

therealmarie   April 21st, 2009 3:15 pm ET

Noe that's silly because Blago does not have enough money to mount his defense. So guess who pays for that defense? The Taxpayers. When will people stop being so emotionaly silly and ignorant of court rules, rights and procedures?

Jack in Florida   April 21st, 2009 3:11 pm ET

Good news..............the less we see and hear from him the better off we will all be................Thank you Judge Zagel

a part of me is sad   April 21st, 2009 3:11 pm ET

I watch Jerry Springer and I thought of Blago as the second coming

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