| Author |
Message |
    
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 316
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 10:32 am: | 
|
Dec. 5, 2003 | WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Rush Limbaugh says prosecutors are on a fishing expedition.
Investigators allege in search warrants that the conservative radio commentator engaged in illegal drug use and went "doctor shopping" for prescription painkillers.
Limbaugh denied any wrongdoing to listeners on his show Thursday. Reading from a statement prepared by his attorney, Roy Black, Limbaugh said medical records will clear him.
"What these records show is that Mr. Limbaugh suffered extreme pain and had legitimate reasons for taking pain medication," Limbaugh said. "Unfortunately, because of Mr. Limbaugh's prominence and well-known political opinions, he is being subjected to an invasion of privacy no citizen of this republic should endure."
State Attorney Barry Krischer said in a statement that Limbaugh's rights have been scrupulously protected.
In search warrants filed Thursday, investigators say they were looking for medical, insurance and appointment records for Limbaugh as well as cash receipts and prescription forms during raids made of two doctor's offices Nov. 25.
Limbaugh "alternated physicians to obtain overlapping prescriptions'' and failed to tell each doctor that he was seeing others," according to the warrants, filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
Limbaugh's actions violated the letter and spirit of the law related to doctor shopping, according to one of the warrants.
Doctor shopping refers to looking for a doctor willing to prescribe drugs illegally, or getting prescriptions for a single drug from more than one doctor at the same time.
Prosecutors began investigating in December 2002 after Limbaugh's former maid, Wilma Cline, told them she sold Limbaugh "large quantities of hydrocodone, Oxycontin and other pharmaceutical drugs in Palm Beach County over the course of many years."
Cline provided investigators with e-mails and answering machine recordings to support her claims, according to the warrants.
The medical offices were raided after investigators examined records from Palm Beach pharmacies near Limbaugh's $24 million oceanfront mansion that they say support the doctor-shopping allegations.
The records seized list prescriptions for more than 2,100 pills from March 24 through Sept. 26. The medications include the powerful painkillers Oxycontin, Lorcet, Norco, hydrocodone and Kadian. In addition, Limbaugh received prescriptions for the anti-anxiety drug Xanax, the cholesterol-lowering drug Niacin, and Clonodine, which treats high blood pressure.
Two of the four search warrants were executed at the offices of Jupiter Outpatient Surgery Center. A third was executed at Palm Beach Ear, Nose and Throat Association in Palm Beach Gardens. A fourth for the same location has not yet been executed.
The physicians named in the warrants are Nathaniel Drourr, Antonio De La Cruz, Lawrence Deziel and John Murray.
Drourr and officials at both centers declined comment, citing privacy laws. Murray did not return a phone call seeking comment, and the other doctors could not be immediately reached.
Limbaugh was absent from his show for five weeks recently while spending time at a drug rehabilitation program because of his addiction to prescription painkillers.
Previously, law enforcement sources in Palm Beach County confirmed that a criminal investigation into a prescription drug ring involved Limbaugh.
Last month, a law enforcement source who spoke on condition of anonymity said authorities also were investigating the money trail related to Limbaugh's drug purchases.
Limbaugh allegedly withdrew cash 30 to 40 times at amounts just under the $10,000 limit that requires a bank to report the transaction to the federal government. The radio host responded with a blanket denial of the allegations during his third day back on the air.
Limbaugh, reading from his lawyer's statement, said Thursday, "Let us make our position clear: Rush Limbaugh is not part of a drug ring. He was never a target of a drug investigation. He became addicted to a prescription drug during legitimate medical treatment. He has publicly admitted this problem and has successfully sought treatment which continues today."
Limbaugh says prosecutors are on a fishing expedition! There is such irony there. Hey, Rush, if you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to hide - isn't that your normal attitude?
Raise em high,
Raise em high,
Working all day for the state.
Raise em high,
Raise em high,
Working all the live long day. (road gang song)
|
STRAW'S THE COOLEST
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 1535
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 11:04 am: |
|
uh, no offense Themp,
I doubt Rush reads MOL. Probably not the place to let him know how you feel.
"How do you tell a Communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin."
--Ronald Wilson Reagan
|
barbara wilhelm
Citizen
Username: Bartist
Post Number: 70
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 11:19 am: |
|
Rush is a oxymoron. |
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 317
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 11:20 am: |
|
I'm just an entertainer. |
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 318
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 12:57 pm: |
|
Now his people are saying it's a politically motivated investigation! That is too funny. I smell fear. He must know how bad this is going to be, because he's panicking.
I wonder if he'll pick up litter with a stick along the highway? Maybe under zero tolerance rules they can auction off his mansion. |
STRAW'S THE COOLEST
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 1538
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 1:11 pm: |
|
boring
"How do you tell a Communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin."
--Ronald Wilson Reagan
|
Kenney
Citizen
Username: Kenney
Post Number: 160
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 1:15 pm: |
|
you should worry less about what a radio talk show ass says and more about what the leading democratic contender has to say....
The Delusional Dean
By Charles Krauthammer
Friday, December 5, 2003; Page A31
Diane Rehm: "Why do you think he [Bush] is suppressing that [Sept. 11] report?"
Howard Dean: "I don't know. There are many theories about it. The most interesting theory that I've heard so far -- which is nothing more than a theory, it can't be proved -- is that he was warned ahead of time by the Saudis. Now who knows what the real situation is?"
-- "The Diane Rehm Show," NPR, Dec. 1
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today..FDR..
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth...G.W.
Everyone wants a voice in human freedom. There's a fire burning inside of all us...L.W.
|
Montagnard
Citizen
Username: Montagnard
Post Number: 290
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 1:37 pm: |
|
Anyone familiar with the history of Pearl Harbor will know that advance knowledge does not imply the ability to act.
Anyone familiar with Ultra and Coventry will know that even certain knowledge and the ability to act do not imply that action will be taken.
An informed observer might wish to reserve judgement. |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 528
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 1:39 pm: |
|
So Dean is not familiar with history (and therefore doomed to repeat it) and not an informed observer.
DEAN FOR PRESIDENT! |
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 320
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 2:18 pm: |
|
Rush is today's message. Period.
I'd prefer Kerry to Dean. You guys are really jumping on that statement which he qualifies twice as "one theory" and "nothing more than a theory so far" huh. Wow. You like your talking points scripted and your candidate tightlipped, and that's why you like Bush, the talking-point-hammering-robotic-country-boy.
But what about that Rush! He reminds me of someone here on this board with his psuedo-grandiloquence, unhumorous preening and boasting, and churlish contempt for all opinions left of the extreme right. |
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 321
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 2:19 pm: |
|
Lord love him! All Hail!
 |
Michael Janay
Citizen
Username: Childprotect
Post Number: 117
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 2:23 pm: |
|
So you'd be OK if Dean said " "I don't know. There are many theories about it. The most interesting theory that I've heard so far -- which is nothing more than a theory, it can't be proved -- is that jews were warned ahead of time by the mossad, and the mossad took down the towers. Now who knows what the real situation is?"
I guess its OK as long as he qualifies it as a theory, right? |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 531
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 2:32 pm: |
|
themp.....I'm hearing anger, lashing out at others when you should be happy at the demise of someone you hate. Is everything OK? |
Kenney
Citizen
Username: Kenney
Post Number: 162
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 2:38 pm: |
|
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today..FDR..
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth...G.W.
Everyone wants a voice in human freedom. There's a fire burning inside of all us...L.W.
|
drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 409
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 3:31 pm: |
|
is "pharmacy shopping" illegal? I guess it is, but sounds like a grey area.
Sure, Rush-man should be prosecuted to the fullest extent if he's done anthing illegal. Just like he says.
But the "money laundering" stuff seems a bit hysterical- the guy's smart enough to withdraw $9900 at a time, avoiding scruitiny. ALot to withdraw, and an unusal banking practice, yes, but not sure where there's laundering.
Hey, he could have just lost it at the racetrack.
Also looks like Oxcontin was more popular with him than was disclosed.
|
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 322
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 3:32 pm: |
|
I'm great. Just had my first child last week. Never better a single day in my life. I am blessed.
Thanks for your ironic inquiry, however.
Go ahead and attack Dean on this Rushbo thread.
But it's about Rush today though. You can't stop me from enjoying this any more than you can stop a bird from singing.
|
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1294
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 3:47 pm: |
|
Congratulations on your baby, themp!
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
|
chocoholic
Citizen
Username: Shrink
Post Number: 54
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 3:57 pm: |
|
Every time I hear about Rush Limbaugh and his "troubles", it brightens up my day and brings a smile to my face. The reason? Now I can now truly believe that there is justice in the world, that "whatever goes around , comes around" . Let's face it, the conservatives are falling on swords of their own making. Remember Bill Bennet, Dr. Laura? I can't wait to see what next conservative is going to commit hari-kiri with a sword fashioned from their own hypocritical ideology. |
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1295
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 3:58 pm: |
|
I'm way behind in the gossip. What happened to Dr. Laura? She was a real work of art.
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
|
chocoholic
Citizen
Username: Shrink
Post Number: 56
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 4:23 pm: |
|
Dr. Laura, that arbituer of "family values" who is quick to denigrate all callers to her show who do not toe the line and work outside of home, if they have children, or are not respectful of authority, etc.-turns out her elderly mother, whom Dr. Laura lived quite a short distance from, died alone in her apartment and was not discovered for several days....Dr. Laura had not spoken to or bothered to check on her mother for many years....Dr. Laura claims to be an orthodox Jew and states that she studiuosly keeps the Law...What happened to Honor Your Mother and Father? |
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 324
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 7:26 pm: |
|
My apologies. I didn't realize that the criticism of Dean when Rush is mentioned edict was an offical GOP talking point. Now I see why you were powerless to resist.
Here is how Rush himself interpreted it on Friday:
"I bet you what, if I had been treated by Dr. Dean, I bet you Democrats in certain parts of this country would be demanding his records,"
So, again, I see you were doing your jobs by attacking Dean when the absurd and unrelated topic of Rush comes up.
Carry on. Those brain chips are so effective.
|
anon
Citizen
Username: Anon
Post Number: 856
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 10:13 pm: |
|
Themp: Mazel Tov
I've heard Limbaugh only once for a few minutes while station surfing in the car. He was talking about Tipper Gore and what he was saying was rather silly. I don't really care about him at all and am generally not interested in "celebrities" and their problems, but I understand that the investigation is by Florida officials and wonder why anyone would think Jeb Bush would have a "political motive" to go after him.
Isn't rather obvious to anyone except those completely blinded by partisanship that there is hypocrisy, vice, corruption and just plain human failings on both the Right and the Left and even in the middle? |
J. Crohn
Citizen
Username: Jcrohn
Post Number: 748
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 10:50 pm: |
|
"Lord love him! All Hail!"
Well, in that photo it looks like it's Lard that loves him. But who really cares about Rush Limbaugh?
Michael Janay et al.: I've been following with interest your cut and pastes concerning Saddam/Al Qaeda connections, but for the love of G-d, could you guys please remember to cite your sources? I'm talking URLs, and failing that, publications, authors, and dates.
Thanks.
|
ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 824
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 8, 2003 - 10:04 am: |
|
Drewdix - I don't know enough about the specifics of what Rush did but as a general matter there is a crime known as structuring, which is intentionally making transactions just below $10,000 in order to avoid the reporting requirements, which are themseleves intended to detect money laundering. Remember, these reporting requirments only apply to cash transactions. The idea is that if you are taking a lot of cash out of the bank it is likely you are doing something fishy since virtually all legit high value transactions are non-cash. What I don't recall, and don't have time to check now, is whether just the intent to avoid the reporting requirements is enough for a conviction, or if you need to have some futher intent (such as to launder the money). Since it appears he intended to use as at least some of the money to buy illegal drugs that may be enough, but I'm not sure. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page