Prosecutors expected to ask judge to bar Blago from appearing in Celebrity Apprentice TV show

TV show expected to be discussed at Blago hearing

CHICAGO — Prosecutors are expected to ask a federal judge to bar ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich from appearing on Donald Trump’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” reality TV show.

U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel will preside over Monday’s hearing. Earlier this year, Zagel refused to let Blagojevich go to Costa Rica to participate in NBC’s “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!” reality TV show. In his place, his wife joined the cast.

The former governor’s corruption trial is set to get under way in June, and Trump’s reality show is expected to air in spring 2010.

Blagojevich (blah-GOY’-uh-vich) has pleaded not guilty to accusations that he tried to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat.