No immediate ruling in Cellini case

The judge in the last trial arising from investigations of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich didn’t immediately decide if he’ll let the defense tell jurors about the admitted drug abuse of a star prosecution witness.

Judge James Zagel held a status hearing Thursday but withdrew to private chambers to speak with attorneys in the upcoming trial of William Cellini.

The government wants Zagel to bar the defense from broaching Stuart Levine’s past drug problems, saying the issue is irrelevant.

But the defense wants to use it to undermine Levine’s credibility.

Prosecutors say Levine will describe an attempted shakedown of the Oscar-winning producer of “Million Dollar Baby” for a campaign contribution to Blagojevich.

Cellini was once dubbed “The Pope” for his influence in Illinois politics. He’s denied wrongdoing.

His trial begins Monday.