Judge Refuses Retrial for Cellini

There will be no retrial for a longtime Illinois powerbroker in what was seen as the last trial to grow out of an investigation of prison-bound ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

A federal judge Tuesday on denied a request from attorneys for a new trial for businessman William Cellini.

The ruling comes after jurors convicted the Springfield Republican in November of conspiring to shake down the Oscar-winning producer of "Million Dollar Baby'' for a contribution to Blagojevich's campaign.

In asking Judge James Zagel to do the trial over, defense attorneys had cited revelations that one juror lied about her criminal record during jury selection and thereby denied Cellini a fair trial.

But prosecutors argued there was no proof the woman harbored bias towards Cellini or performed her juror duties poorly.