Blagojevich Seeks To Leave Country For Oxford Debate
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Deposed Gov. Rod Blagojevich has asked a judge if he may leave the country before the start of his second trial next month.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Mary Frances Bragiel reports, Blagojevich has been invited to speak at the Oxford Union, at Oxford University in the U.K.
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The debating society was founded in 1823, and prides itself as a "forum for debate and discussion of controversial issues."
Information from a motion recently filed by Blagojevich's attorney reveals he has been asked to speak at the Oxford Society during this current term, which ends March 12.
The former governor is required to get the court's permission to travel outside of the United States. U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel long ago had Blagojevich surrender his passport.
According to the Union's Web site, past speakers have included former presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, as well as former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Mother Teresa.
Blagojevich first trial last year ended in a deadlock on 23 of the 24 counts against the former governor. He is accused, among other charges, of trying to sell President Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat in 2008.
Last month, prosecutors dropped three of the remaining charges against Blagojevich, in an effort to simplify the case against him. After the first trial, several jurors complained that the case against him was too complex.
Two years ago, well before Blagojevich's first trial, Judge Zagel denied another high-profile request by the ex-governor to leave the country.
That time, he was asking for permission to travel to Costa Rica to appear on the NBC reality program "I'm a Celebrity… Get Me out of Here." At the time, Zagel deemed Blagojevich a flight risk and said no.
Blagojevich's wife, Patti, ended up appearing on the show in his place and was shown on TV eating a spider. Blagojevich himself went on to compete, and get "fired," on Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" last year.
