Is ex Chicago mayor Rod Blagojevich going to be a Reality TV Star?
When I heard that the ousted major of Chicago, Rod Blagojevich, who pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering and fraud charges last Tuesday is trying to become a contestant in a reality show to be filmed in Costa Rica, my head shook slowly, dropping to my chest. I understand that Costa Rica’s economy is bad right now (tourism down 50%) but really, is Costa Rica that hard up?
It appears the reality show, NBC’s relaunch, “I’m a Celebrity – Get Me Out of Here!” is going to drop ten celebrities (one of them being Rod Blagojevich), into the jungles of Costa Rica. And, like the reality show, Survivor, these celebrities face cut-throating challenges to test their skills and adapting to the wilderness where the winner gets a X amount of bucks.
Rod may be the perfect candidate!
Reality show offering $60,000 for each episode that Rod appears in
Those of us that remember (yes I just sorta admitted my age) the biggest financial fraud in history (at the time) scammer, Robert Lee Vesco fled to Costa Rica in 1971. America’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was after him for more than $224 million, or more than $3 billion in today’s money. Vesco [seeking asylum] dumped over $60 million into the economy of Costa Rica, which at the time was having hard times (sound familiar?). With his money, he was able to get a national law passed in Costa Rica that protected him from extradition, by the then-president Jose Figueres for years. Obviously, he greased a ton of palms.
How much Robert Vesco stole? no one knows for certain and, how much did Rod Blagojevich really steal? Or should I say, what is it costing the producers to film in Costa Rica? Well, according to some local rumors, it is a ‘cool million’ to the Costa Rica government for all the necessary paperwork like permits, police service blab blab blab.
No doubt, with Rod’s appearances, ratings will go up. Americans love this type of tabloid junk.
Obviously, the Rod’s attorneys have a few problems to work out, #1 being, Blagojevich is claiming “broke,” and his defense is being paid for by public funds as of now. NBC has offered $60,000 each episode that Rod appears in, in a wishful wish that he does not get axed in the 1st episode – for if he does, ratings will go down and NBC will lose. It does not take a tabloid queen to recognize this money will go to Rod’s defense fund, not counting the fame and glory the attorneys will get, like the ones in the OJ Simpson trial got.
However, before any attorney gets one dime, they first have to convince Judge James B. Zage to make modification on the bond that forbids Rod to leave the United States to appear on the show – for which if Zage does, the state does not have to flip Rod’s defense bill. Obviously, there is some back-door dealings, all those involved have commented on condition of anonymity.
Is this a good thing for Costa Rica? Personally, if the economy wasn’t so bad, I would say, “No!” Costa Rica does not need that type of publicity. But under the circumstances, it should bring in a few million for the local economy, which is good! It is a perfect example of “Damn if you Do! and, Damn if you Don’t!”
When Vesco fled to Costa Rica, his immunity brought tension between the two countries. When the story of the Reality show broke, the comments were very critical.
If this show taked place, instead of Blago’s, he’ll probably be nicknamed, Bo Bo, the slang Spanish word for Idiot Clown. The Urban Dictionary has other meanings for Bo Bo.
I seriously doubt Rod is in the caliber of Vesco, but one never knows until a verdict is reached. Either way, this type of publicity will help promote Costa Rica and stimulate the economy a tad.
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