[little jeremiah]

If there is no big deal, why was Rush PAYING the extortionists until THEY double-crossed him?

Not to nitpick, but have you read that Rush was paying them blackmail money? I read that he didn't pay, and that's why Cline went to the Enquirer.

[RS]

"Not to nitpick, but have you read that Rush was paying them blackmail money? I read that he didn't pay, and that's why Cline went to the Enquirer."

The cops were onto the Clines at least by Dec 2002 which is presumeably about when Rush was cut off from their supply, the records from Rushs doctor-shopping start after that going to Sept 2003, the Enquirer article was in Oct 2003.

Is paying someone to keep them from going to the cops about your illegal activities a crime in itself ?

[Huck]

Yes, I have read that he paid blackmail. I think it was his laywer, Black, and I think I read it here on FR in the transcript of the hearing in court. He said Rush first resisted, but then submitted to blackmail, and that after they had, in Rush's lawyer's words, bled him dry, the Klines THEN went to the Enquirer. They took the money and screwed him anyway. Surprise, surprise. And on top of it all, the Kline's get immunity? Looks like they played Rush pretty good.