Charges put Rush in select group: 2

New York Daily News ^ | 1/04/04 | News Wire Sdervices

[kattracks]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Rush Limbaugh was wrong when he accused prosecutors of singling him out, but not by much. Palm Beach County prosecutors investigating the right-wing radio host for his prescription drug abuse have filed "doctor shopping" charges against one other person in the past five years, according to records.

Limbaugh's lawyer said the court documents, reviewed by The Palm Beach Post yesterday, prove his client was unfairly targeted.

"Rush Limbaugh has been singled out for special prosecution because of who he is," Roy Black told the paper. "We believe the state attorney's office is applying a double standard."

State Attorney Barry Krischer denied the accusation, saying, "Whether Mr. Limbaugh is subject to prosecution for any crimes is still under investigation."

Investigators seized Limbaugh's medical records in November after discovering he got more than 2,000 painkillers, prescribed by four doctors, at a pharmacy near his home. Limbaugh's former maid told investigators she supplied him with prescription painkillers for years.

Limbaugh's lawyers had argued the seizure of his records violated his privacy and that the probe was politically motivated.

The commentator, once a harsh critic of drug abusers, recently admitted his addiction, saying it stemmed from severe back pain. He took a five-week leave from his radio show to enter a detox program.

The Palm Beach Post review found only one case in which the county filed charges of illegally acquiring overlapping prescriptions, but the defendant died before trial.

Doctor shopping, a crime that can bring up to five years in prison, is conning more than one physician to write the same prescriptions within 30 days.

Originally published on January 4, 2004

[Swordmaker]

". . . have filed "doctor shopping" charges against one other person in the past five years . . ."

This phrase is bordering on libel. It implies that charges HAVE been filed against Rush Limbaugh. That has not happened.

To properly report this, the phrase should read ". . . have filed "doctor shopping" charges against just one other person in the past five years . . .

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[backhoe]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1051144/posts

AP Kills Limbaugh Painkillers Story (QUICK BEFORE IT CHANGES)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52369-2004Jan3.html ^ | January 3, 2003w

Make certain the story is not used.
AP Kills Limbaugh Painkillers Story (AP, Jan. 3, 2004; 5:06 PM)

Snagged this from the Urinal & Constipation:

I've posted a .PDF of this here, for posterity.

Yikes, this has been sitting on the wires for 8 hours before it got caught.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/rushsearch1.html

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/rushsearch3.html

What I don't get, folks, is the bottom line here. Yes, the "killed" article states incorrectly that Rush was charged with doctor shopping, but other than that, it actually SUPPORTS Rush's contention that the prosecution is unusual. Could there perhaps be ANOTHER reason for the kill order?

The first sentence in the Palm Beach Post's version is completely different.

[weegee]

You are right. Here is the text from your Washington Post link:


AP Kills Limbaugh Painkillers Story

The Associated Press
Saturday, January 3, 2004; 5:06 PM


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Please kill the story Limbaugh-Painkillers, V9991. Rush Limbaugh has not been charged with doctor shopping.

A kill is mandatory.

Make certain the story is not used.


SOMEONE seems to have an agenda spreading false news about the unelected radio host, Mr. Limbaugh. 1984 in action, folks. Didn't happen, kill the story.

[backhoe]

SOMEONE seems to have an agenda spreading false news about the unelected radio host, Mr. Limbaugh. 1984 in action, folks. Didn't happen, kill the story.

I have thought from the beginning that it was a Witch-Hunt, pure and simple.

[YaYa123]

". . . have filed "doctor shopping" charges against one other person in the past five years . . ."

This phrase is bordering on libel. It implies that charges HAVE been filed against Rush Limbaugh. That has not happened.

To properly report this, the phrase should read ". . . have filed "doctor shopping" charges against just one other person in the past five years .

Brilliant, Swordmaker, absolutely brilliant!

[wunderkind54]

Now, who do you suppose that SOMEONE might be?

Hmmmm??

[skinkinthegrass]

I have thought from the beginning that it was a Witch-Hunt, pure and simple.

...and we know, who the witch is....Sen. Mrs. William Jefferson Blight (Shrillary) Clinton ('RAT-NY)

[backhoe]

who do you suppose...

Let's take a wild, wild guess--

Seems someone gave this hat to her as a gag gift in '93, and she posed with it. Wonder why we didn't find this gem sooner...

Thanks to Bon mots-

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

State Attorney Barry Krischer denied the accusation, saying, "Whether Mr. Limbaugh is subject to prosecution for any crimes is still under investigation."

Let's see..here. Now, they apparently don't have a strong enough case to bring criminal charges against Limbaugh, yet the "charges" they are considering indicting him on are already public???

Wouldn't that be a nice tool to intimidate your political enemies with, IF you were a politically minded prosecutor. Just release to the press "off the record" things like: "We're looking at Mr. Smith in the area of wife beating..", or "... record were seized at a children's day care related to the Mr. Smith investigation, though nothing is conclusive...", or "..confidential informants link Mr. Smith to a drug trafficing ring, and we're investigating.." Then just let the "non-charges" fester for a couple of years.

This is the definition of "prosecutorial misconduct" everywhere except, I suppose, Florida. If the DA's office had no charges to file, then there should be nothing in the press about Limbaugh. As far as seizing his medical records, usually there has to be "probably cause" to get a search warrant. The fact that he overmedicated himself is not necessarily probably cause of anything. I wonder what evidence they had .. HARD evidence, that Limbaugh evaded the law to get his drugs.

SFS

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

"probably cause" == probable cause

[backhoe]

Link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1050050/posts?page=126#126

[wunderkind54]

This gag gift fits her like a glove.

[ConservativeMan55]

Rush Ping!

Freepmail me if you would like on/off the Rush Pinglist! Search for the latest Rush Limbaugh news on Free Republic. Limbaugh Prosecutor a Janet Reno Democrat Lawyers accuse maid of blackmail. Limbaugh takes off the gloves! Limbaugh medical records ordered resealed! ACLU Offers Help to Limbaugh AP kills Limbaugh story. Breaking Now. Kendall Coffey Comments on the Rush Limbaugh Case Rush Limbaugh.com

[E.G.C.]

Bumping in support of Rush!!!!!!

[Lando Lincoln]

I don't always thank you for the pings, CM55. But, they are appreciated!

Lando

[Sloth]

Just release to the press "off the record" things like: "We're looking at Mr. Smith in the area of wife beating..", or "... record were seized at a children's day care related to the Mr. Smith investigation, though nothing is conclusive...", or "..confidential informants link Mr. Smith to a drug trafficing ring, and we're investigating.."

"We have not yet gathered enough evidence to charge Governor Dean with child molestation"... "We can neither confirm nor deny that Wesley Clark has been identified as the Olympic park bomber. If and when charges are filed, General Clark will have a chance to defend himself in court."

[ConservativeMan55]

No Problem. I enjoy it! Do you like my new ping banner?

[veronica]

I said from day one that Rush would weather this, and make his enemies chew nails. The worm appears to be turning even in the press. Truth will out! :)

[Lando Lincoln]

Like it?! It's a masterpiece! Leaves my html skills sorely wanting!

Lando

[ConservativeMan55]

LOL!

[Nick Thimmesch]

I've been a Rush Limbaugh listener since day one: Rush's hypocracy on the War on Some Drugs makes it difficult if not impossible to listen anymore. For all the Freepers and others who are blindly supporting him on this all I can ask is where have you been with your technicalities and conspiracy theories for the millions and millions of American citizens who were arrested, imprisoned and laid to ruin for simple marijuana possession during Rush's tenure? Certainly you don't beleive that very dangerous & addictive "prescription" drugs like Oxy and the other crap he was ingesting at record rates are worse than marijuana?

Where were you -- writing your representatives, speaking out, voting for drug policy reform candidates -- for these people? All of a sudden: Rush is a victim. Rush is a victim of his own greed and addiction: hard to feel sorry for him let alone believe him anymore.

[veronica]

I don't recall Rush talking about drugs very often. And I don't think people should be jailed for having small amounts of weed either. I don't "feel sorry" for Rush and I don't he's a victim, and he does not think of himself as a victim. He's admitted he did something wrong, he has sought treatment, and he just does not want to be singled out for malicious prosecution because he's a Conservative icon. I support him 100% and I always will.

[_Jim]

Rush's hypocracy on the War on Some Drugs

"There you go again" ... you can't cite ONE diatribe where Rush 'went off on drugs'. As a matter of fact, Rush stated he avoided such discussions, and you can't point to any.

Now, hang it up on this point ...

[ConservativeMan55]

I'm convinced they just pull th.is crap out of the air.

[_Jim]

I'm convinced they just pull th.is crap out of the air.

Truly - a classic example of listening, but not hearing and then 'coloring' any recollections with what their 'perceptive memories' dictate ...

[ConservativeMan55]

Exactly. Its like they know what the truth is, but deny it exists.

[_Jim]

I had one character here on FR claim that the oft-used and done in humor phrase "long-haired, maggot-infested, dope-smoking FM types" was an indictment of dope smokers, and, to top it off this character couldn't even get the phrase right!

That phrase, BTW, when used by Rush is a humorous indictment of the liberals who inhabit the FM dial more than it was EVER intended to indict or torment the lowly 'dope smoker' ...

[ConservativeMan55]

LOL...did you point out to them that if Rush is indicted....EVERYONE any ANYONE who has ever admitted to using drugs will have to be prosecuted.

This includes Brett Favre, Ozzy Osbourne, Jack Osbourne, and just about every other celebrity known to man.

[backhoe]

I don't recall Rush talking about drugs very often. And I don't think people should be jailed for having small amounts of weed either. I don't "feel sorry" for Rush and I don't think he's a victim, and he does not think of himself as a victim. He's admitted he did something wrong, he has sought treatment, and he just does not want to be singled out for malicious prosecution because he's a Conservative icon. I support him 100% and I always will.

Not only do I agree with your every word, I, too, can't recall Rush saying much about drugs, besides an occasional quip.

[ConservativeMan55]

In fact...they had to go back to 1995 to even find a quote where Rush mentioned drugs. 9 years! LOL!

[backhoe]

In fact...they had to go back to 1995...

Exactly.

I keep Rush on in the background while I do other things- and darned if I could recall much besides that "maggot-infested" crack that sounded like satire or parody, to me, at least.

BTW, I pulled the source code for your Rush list and am studying it to see if I can plagiarize the idea for a picture & links banner about other subjects I cover.

[AnAmericanMother]

In fact...they had to go back to 1995 to even find a quote where Rush mentioned drugs. 9 years! LOL!

And that was not in the context of "going after druggies", but simply a discussion of . . . drum roll . . . selective prosecution (in that case, black vs. white IIRC).

[blackie]

Rush Is The Man!

[speedy]

If this thing drags on, are there any plans afoot among South Florida Freepers to give this Krischer clown a little taste of Freeping? Seems to me it might help educate this guy about the folly of unleashing political witch hunts.

[Nanodik]

From the RL TV show 10/5/95:

"What this says to me is that too many whites are getting away with drug use. Too many whites are getting away with drug sales. Too many whites are getting away with trafficking in this stuff. The answer to this disparity is not to start letting people out of jail because we're not putting others in jail who are breaking the law. The answer is to go out and find the ones who are getting away with it, convict them and send them up the river, too."

More quotes can be found here:

http://www.fair.org/extra/0311/limbaugh-drugs.html

[Nanodik]

Rush Is The Man!

Yeah, if you are looking to score some hillbilly heroine.

[_Jim]

The answer to this disparity is not to start letting people out of jail because we're not putting others in jail who are breaking the law.

You *do* understand/you did understand just WHAT was being conveyed here - don't you?

The libs at the time were moving forward with the idea that people should be let OUT of jail AS OPPOSED TO putting those into jail who broke the law.

I think, but am not certain at this point, that THIS also predates the point in time where Rush began have spine/back trouble (WHICH precipitated the treatment pain with pain-killing medication presciption issued by the medical profession).

Now, was that all you had?

[_Jim]

Intruder (an apparent "hypocritical Libertarian") alert - posts #38 and 39.

This guy must be really conflicted: a Libertarian ostensibly 'bashing' a conservative icon for alleged misue of a legally prescribable (as opposed to illegal, non-prescibable substances like marijuana, cocaine and heroine) 'pain killer' ...

[MamaK]

If you took the time to notice Rush stoped talking about druges before he started taking them for his pain.Might I guess that your have had some experence with the ole mary jane? If I am wrong please forgive.

[Nanodik]

I have heard people who called up on the RL show and talk about legalizing pot especially when it came to tobacco legislation. RL's comment was that pot smokers are just selfish and that there is nothing wrong with tobacco because it's legal. His argument was completely circular. My drug is good because it's legal and yours is bad because it's illegal. Those who want to make my drug illegal are idiots and busybodies. And BTW you are selfish for wanting your drug to be legal.

[justanotherfreeper]

The Palm Beach Post review found only one case in which the county filed charges of illegally acquiring overlapping prescriptions, but the defendant died before trial.

This article edits out something critical the Palm Beach Post told in an earlier article. This person was prosecuted to try and intimidate him into testifying against his wife's doctor, so it was a not a prosecution for doctor shopping, but a prosecution to try and intimidate and harrass the guy into helping the prosecutors. See Charge in Limbaugh Drug Case Rarely Used paragraph 20.

[freekitty]

I would like to know how this hag gets away with smearing everyone else, including people that supposedly are for her. I understand that she has been tossed out of the that lawsuit of Gennifer Flowers in Vegas. Of course, her two supposed buddies, James and George, remain in the lawsuit.

I suspect this is the plan that worked for Bubba. It seems that he was always able to get out of the slime pit too. I see it all happening again with the hag.

I wonder when one of their supposed supporters is going to get sick of being thrown to the lions and hang them?

It's about time to throw these two in jail

[tertiary01]

Ditto that. I rarely heard Rush talk about drugs and usually he would bring up the topic only to illustrate some inconsistency, such as in the drugs laws.

[freekitty]

I do believe the Clintons are able to get away with their cheap trash because of our type of society today. I also believe they are always trying to scam the public into believing how powerful they are.

What makes this so pitiful is how sick they really are.

[longtermmemmory]

I think there are trolls who just have it in for Rush no matter what. These are the ones who have always listened because they hate Rush not because they argree. There is nothing that will satisfy them short of a public flogging they can personally administer.

It should also be pointed out that the doctor shopping charges was a "make charge" which was part of a failed immunity deal. The defendant failed to "substantially assist" with their testimony in a murder case. It was only then that a charge was issued for doctor shopping. (out of all the other possible charges)

Despite the naysayers, Rush is going to have one heck of a bar complaint (SA have higher standards) and one heck of a civil claim agains all involved.

[ConservativeMan55]

Cool! If you need any help with it, then let me know.

[RS]

"I wonder what evidence they had .. "



This might bring you up to speed -

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/rushsearch1.html

It may not be up to your personal standards, but so far TWO judges have seen it as probable cause.