ReutersNews
Rush Limbaugh Settles Drug Fraud ChargesFriday Apr 28, 2006 7:00pm EST
Saturday Apr 29, 2006 10:00am EST (updated)
CREDIT: RICH ARDEN / ESPN / AP
MIAMI
(Reuters) – Rush Limbaugh was charged with prescription drug fraud in
Florida on Friday as part of a deal ending a criminal probe of the
conservative radio commentator that began more than two years ago, his
lawyer and authorities said.
Under the deal the 55-year-old Limbaugh, best known as a brash
and often moralistic talk show host, will see the case against him
dropped in 18 months, his attorney said.
Limbaugh admitted an addiction to prescription painkillers in
October 2003 after reports he was facing an investigation for allegedly
using a housekeeper at his Palm Beach mansion to illegally obtain
prescription drugs.
He was booked on Friday on a single count of concealing
information to fraudulently obtain a prescription drug after turning up
with his lawyer, Roy Black, at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
He was released after less than an hour on $3,000 bail, Black told Reuters.
He said Limbaugh filed a written plea of not guilty, and would
persist in denying that he committed the crime of so-called doctor
shopping.
The charge will be dropped in 18 months provided Limbaugh
continues to seek drug therapy treatment from the doctor who has been
treating him for the past 2-1/2 years, Black said.
"The prosecutors and I agree that there shouldn't be a
criminal prosecution, and we agree there shouldn't be any court
proceedings," said Black.
As part of the deal, Limbaugh also agreed to make a $30,000
payment to the state of Florida to defray the public cost of the
investigation.
"This guy has been undergoing investigation for two-and-a-half
years. You can imagine what that does to somebody," Black said in a
telephone interview.
"He's just happy that it's finally ended and he can go back to his normal life," he said.
The probe of Limbaugh came to light in October 2003 while he
was embroiled in a controversy that forced him to quit his job as a
television football commentator.
The controversy stemmed from comments some people saw as
racist. Limbaugh said the media wanted Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Donovan McNabb to succeed because he is black.
