Blagojevich 'Celebrity Apprentice' gig on

CHICAGO, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Prosecutors say they're worried former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's plans to appear on the "Celebrity Apprentice" show may affect his corruption trial.

U.S. District Judge Zagel, however, Monday did not nix the appearance on Donald Trump's NBC reality show but directed defense attorneys and prosecutors to assess the impact it could have on Blagojevich's upcoming trial, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Blagojevich is scheduled to go on trial June 3 for racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements to federal agents. Among the accusations is that he tried to peddle President Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Defense attorney Sam Adams told Zagel he was unclear about the government's concerns. Prosecutors said they fear Blagojevich's appearance on television could taint the jury pool. Zagel earlier this year prevented Blagojevich from appearing on "I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here" because that show was taping in Costa Rica. His wife, Patti, appeared instead.

Zagel said he was concerned Blagojevich might say something on "Celebrity Apprentice" the prosecution could later seek to introduce at trial.

"There are significant confessional elements on that show," Zagel said. "People do say things about themselves."

"It is possible that an indicted person may say something that creates problems later on," Zagel said.

The Sun-Times said Blagojevich would be a paid contestant.

"Celebrity Apprentice," now taping in New York, is set to begin airing in March and could coincide with the jury pre-qualification phase, Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar said, noting Blagojevich has talked about evidence in the case in previous television appearances.