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Much later we have this:

Limbaugh Reaches Settlement in Drug Case

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Today: April 28, 2006 at 22:21:12 PDT

Limbaugh Reaches Settlement in Drug Case

By BRIAN SKOLOFF
ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -

0428dv-rush-attyFF Rush Limbaugh reached a settlement with prosecutors Friday in a fraud case involving prescription painkillers, though the conservative radio commentator maintains his innocence.

Limbaugh turned himself in to authorities about 4 p.m. on a warrant for fraud to conceal information to obtain a prescription, the first charge in the nearly 3-year-old case, said Teri Barbera, a spokeswoman for the state attorney. He was released an hour later on $3,000 bail.

Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, said his client and prosecutors reached a settlement on a charge of doctor shopping.

Under the deal, Limbaugh would eventually see the charge dismissed in 18 months if he continues treatment for drug addiction, Black said.

Limbaugh also must continue to seek treatment from the doctor he has seen for the past 2 1/2 years, Black said.

Limbaugh entered a plea of not guilty in court Friday.

"Mr. Limbaugh and I have maintained from the start that there was no doctor shopping, and we continue to hold this position," Black said in an e-mailed statement.

Prosecutors began investigating Limbaugh in 2003 after a tabloid newspaper reported that his housekeeper said he had used her to illegally buy painkillers. He soon took a five-week leave from his radio show to enter a rehabilitation program.

Prosecutors seized Limbaugh's records after learning that he received about 2,000 painkillers, prescribed by four doctors in six months, at a pharmacy near his Palm Beach mansion. They contended that Limbaugh engaged in "doctor shopping," or illegally deceived multiple doctors to receive overlapping prescriptions.

Limbaugh acknowledged he became addicted to pain medication, blaming it on severe back pain.

According to Black, Limbaugh also has agreed to make a $30,000 payment to the state to defray the public cost of the investigation. The agreement also provides that he must refrain from violating the law during this 18 months, must pay $30 per month for the cost of supervision and comply with other similar provisions of the agreement.

And from the BBC:

US radio pundit on drugs charge

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Last Updated: Saturday, 29 April 2006, 04:09 GMT 05:09 UK

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US radio pundit on drugs charge

The radio host has admitted he is addicted to painkillers

US radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has been charged with fraudulently obtaining prescription drugs.

The move comes after an investigation into the commentator that began over two years ago.

Mr Limbaugh admitted on air in October 2003 he was addicted to prescription painkillers after Florida authorities began an investigation into him.

The problem stemmed from spinal surgery several years ago and he has sought treatment for it, he said.

Mr Limbaugh, 55, was charged with illegally obtaining prescriptions, or "doctor shopping", after presenting himself at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

He was later released on $3,000 (£1,643) bail, according to his lawyer, Roy Black.

Deal with prosecutors

Mr Black said his client had filed a written plea of not guilty and denied the charge.

But under a deal with prosecutors, the charge will be dropped in 18 months if Mr Limbaugh continues to seek treatment for his addiction.

Mr Limbaugh has also agreed to make a $30,000 payment to the state of Florida to offset the public cost of the investigation.

"The prosecutors and I agree that there shouldn't be a criminal prosecution, and we agree there shouldn't be any court proceedings," Mr Black told Reuters news agency, adding that his client was pleased the case was over.

"He's just happy that it's finally ended and he can go back to his normal life," he said.

The case attracted widespread attention in 2003 because the popular radio commentator had been a tough critic of drug offenders.