Blago judge: Ruling soon on unsealing documents
The federal judge presiding over former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's corruption case says he expects to decide next week whether to unseal key documents and wiretap evidence.
Judge James Zagel indicated Wednesday he has a fairly clear idea of how he'll rule on the requests from the news media.
The Chicago Tribune has asked for documents concerning Blagojevich co-defendant William Cellini. CNN, ABC and Chicago's WLS-TV have asked the court to unseal the wiretap tapes.
Zagel says he'll be guided by precedents, which in the past have sometimes included making public redacted versions of documents.
Federal prosecutors accuse Blagojevich of scheming to sell or trade President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat and of using the political muscle of the governor's office to squeeze people and businesses for campaign donations.
Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoin