A man who is charged in Chicago’s hired truck scandal told a judge he was penniless and needed the government to pay for his lawyer. But he also wanted the judge to give him an OK to attend the Chicago Bears game in Tampa, FL, according to media reports.

The man, John Boyle, 44, is among the accused in the scandal, in which prosecutors allege some trucking companies bribed officials or candidates in exchange for receiving lucrative city contracts.

Media sources reported that Boyle claimed his bank account was empty. But Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys, noting several recent real estate transactions and documents showing a balance in the account, disagreed, and denied Boyle’s request to attend the game.

"Besides,” Keys said, “the Bears aren't doing very well anyway."