The Political Prosecution of Rush Limbaugh

NewsMax.com ^ | November 11, 2005 | Jim Meyers

[BlazingArizona]

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 action drew suspicion because it can be a federal crime to structure financial transactions below the $10,000 limit. -AP

The fact that while it is illegal to withdraw more than $10K at once in cash, it is also illegal to withdraw lesser amounts if some little tin dictator wants to get you, is a monstrous abuse. Rush needs to come right out and say: yes, I broke this law, because it's stupid and unconstitutional. He needs to rally the radio audience on this topic.

Would this be "going down in flames"? Perhaps, but this prosecutor is trying to take him down quietly, with no political ramifications. If this is going to happen to someone with Rush's influence, Rush ought to use that influence to bring as much embarrassment as possible down on the heads of the drug warriors.

[Tribune7]

Rush should be sent to the same prison that Betty Ford was

Seriously, considerubg Fitzmas, Delay and Rush we have to find ways of punishing prosecutors who twist the law for political ends

[BluH2o]

I worry about Rush lately -- he's far more than a "harmless little fuzzball" and I don't know what lengths someone might go to to get him off the air.

Ditto ... I'm hoping Rushbo is aware that 'Arkancide' isn't confined to one region of the country ... and takes security seriously.

[pageonetoo]

So if these people were telling the truth, then where are the indictments?

In a statement Monday, Limbaugh's lawyers denied their client was considering a plea bargain. The statement was released after Keven Bellows, a spokeswoman for Premier Radio Networks, told CNN that Black had been talking with prosecutors about Limbaugh "accepting responsibility for his actions."

Assistant State Attorney James Martz said in court that judges approved search warrants after investigators discovered Limbaugh received more than 2,000 painkillers, prescribed by four doctors, at a pharmacy near his $24 million mansion. - AP

So, you don't think Rush bought his painkillers on the black market, or you don't think he had used the oxys in his possession? The absence of an indictment (YET) is no proof he is innocent.

You don't believe that he has done anything illegal? You don't have to be a dimocrat to understand the truth. You do have to be a Rushbot, to justify it!

[pageonetoo]

If the pills are the cause of his political views-- the usual implication by those crowing loudest, then it sounds like you could use a dose.

So therefore, I can assume you are not in favor of the WOD? Rush is to the left of me.

[Bigh4u2]

"The legal case is also shaky. As Mr. Dealey explains, Mr. Limbaugh was never caught doing anything illegal. He was never busted with illegally obtained prescription drugs in his possession or caught in a dragnet during any alleged illegal purchase of prescription drugs. The only original witnesses to back a legal case against him were his housekeeper, who has made a lot of money peddling the tale around the media, and her husband, who has a previous conviction for cocaine trafficking and other drug-related convictions that put him in prison for six-and-a-half years. These two witnesses, it is important to add, also tried unsuccessfully to blackmail Mr. Limbaugh for $4 million. "

The (bold) part of the article goes against what the LSM wants you to believe that Rush 'confessed to buying the drugs. He didn't, and the fact that there are no indictments related to this 'illegal' buying is proof of that.

http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20040508-111436-8290r.htm

[CharlesWayneCT]

Wow. A lot has happened on this case, all of it good for Rush -- so of course the last thing I've heard on the news was when the prosecution won the right to see his files.

I won't wait for the story about how they found nothing in his files, how the files show he had normal prescriptions, or how the prosecution has admitted not having any evidence of a crime.

[Valpal1]

Your tagline claims Rush broke the law. Care to clarify that assertion. Why doesn't the prosecutor charge Rush with a crime instead of endlessly fishing while trampling medical confidentiality law into the dirt.

Read the full article DUmmy. The pills were legal, prescribed and in appropriate amounts for the time period covered. This is such a non case it is unbelievable.

All it does is make it harder for doctors to do their job.

[Bigh4u2]

"told CNN that Black had been talking with prosecutors about Limbaugh "accepting responsibility for his actions."

So what is that supposed to mean?

That he accepted responsibility for his addiction or for buying drugs on the black market?


"Limbaugh received more than 2,000 painkillers, prescribed by four doctors,"

Doesn't say a thing about buying drugs on the 'black market'.

It says exactly what I said earlier. He got them from his DOCTORS!

[Irene Adler]

"verybody thought the political prosecution of martha stewart was so much fun - now the precedent has been set we have the harassment of Rush, Scooter Libby, and who knows what next?"

Actually, such political prosecutions go back to Richard Nixon's impeachment hearings, at least, and probably a lot farther back than that.

[Valpal1]

"Of the 2,130 pills prescribed, only 1,863 were painkillers, and of those only 1,733 were for hydrocodone. These were to be taken over a period of 217 days, from the date of the first prescription until 30 days from the date of the last prescription.

"The dose averages out to a little over eight pills a day, which is not excessive and is in fact a lawful dose.

"Nine-two percent of the pain medication was prescribed by two doctors who were treating Mr. Limbaugh for back pain. They work in the same office from the same medical file, and there could be no doctor shopping between them . . .

You don't know what you are talking about. Rush hasn't admitted anything. Your excerpt is Black specifically denying that any plea bargaining is taking place, Keven Bellows of CNN is making stuff up

And if the crime is black market purchases, why do they need to talk to the doctors writing legal prescriptions in appropriate dosages?

[SamuraiScot]

The absence of an indictment (YET) is no proof he is innocent. You don't believe that he has done anything illegal?

I used to kind of assume Rush must have done something illegal. But it's becoming obvious these clowns don't have a case. Otherwise, what's this about?

"Martz told Judge Crow: 'I have no idea if Mr. Limbaugh has completed the elements of any offense yet . . . unless we can ask several pertinent questions.' "

It sounds like all those quotes about what Rush is supposed to have done from AP, the Daily News, and the New York Post were fanciful prosecutor's "leaks" designed to push the story along and get them the momentum to pick through his records, looking for real evidence of law-breaking—which they admit they lack.

I know there are libertarians who want Rush nailed because they resent his opposition to abolishing drug laws. But I think opposition to drug laws, like drugs, can impair judgment.

[Bigh4u2]

"The absence of an indictment (YET) is no proof he is innocent."

This statement is very telling from the poster.

He assumes Rush's 'guilt' without proof. And yet the law assumes Rush's 'innocence' until PROVEN guilty.

[TC Rider]

It's time statutes were created to reign in overzealous, politically motivated, taxpayer fund wasting prosecutors.

Not to mention the cost to Rush of keeping Roy Black on retainer.

[RS]

"The drugs Rush got were 'legal'. Prescriptions by his doctors. "

Prescription drugs obtained through fraud ( doctor-shopping ) are illegal drugs.

[Bigh4u2]

"Prescription drugs obtained through fraud ( doctor-shopping ) are illegal drugs."

And yet there is still no PROOF of 'doctor shopping'.

[Always Right]

The fact that while it is illegal to withdraw more than $10K at once in cash

No it is not illegal. I have withdrawn more than $10K in cash before. It just has to be reported.

[pageonetoo]

You don't know what you are talking about. Rush hasn't admitted anything.

Yeah, that's right. When you disagree, call names and blame someone else...

Fact: Rush's maid bought drugs for him.

Fact: You say Rush's prescriptions for the two doctors were for 217 days, despite most pharmacies, and doctors allowing enough ADDICTIVE heavy duty drugs for 30 days, or less, with substantial monitoring.

Fact: "...But, you know, even beyond all this, what you have is an investigation of an individual who is not selling drugs. And as prosecutors across this country, we generally look to divert those individuals who are drug addicted and rehabilitate them as opposed to prosecuting them. We prosecute primary the drug dealers who are making the money and are a blight on our society. - Pirro

Fact: He was a man who had a problem with painkiller medication, and the people who sold it to him, they have complete immunity... - Opri

- quotes above from RushLimbaugh.com

Facts: Rush used painkillers to excess. He paid money to hush somebody. He got found out, and went to rehab (again). He apologized for his abuse. He asked for forgiveness. He seeks to escape the laws we have on the books...

Hmmmmmmmmm...

[Always Right]

Even Rush acknowledges it...

Rush acknowledged what? Withdrawing cash, yes. The other BS, no. It is potentially a federal crime albeit one that is never prosecuted, but this prosecutor is not a federal prosecutor so he can't pursue it.

[Always Right]

Rush needs to come right out and say: yes, I broke this law, because it's stupid and unconstitutional.

It is not a state law, so this prosecutor has no case. The 'structuring' rule is a federal law for people trying to aviod the reporting. Unless the feds presue it, the case is done. There is no evidence of any other crime.