Posted on 06/27/2006 4:00:45 PM PDT by doesnt suffer fools gladly
Limbaugh Likely to Wait Several Days
By BRIAN SKOLOFF
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Rush Limbaugh will likely have to wait several days to find out if he violated his deal with prosecutors in a prescription fraud case when authorities found him in possession of a bottle of Viagra that was apparently prescribed to someone else, a spokesman for the state attorney's office said Tuesday.
Limbaugh, 55, was detained for more than three hours Monday at Palm Beach International Airport after he returned on his private plane from a vacation in the Dominican Republic. Customs officials found Viagra in his bag, but his name wasn't on the prescription, Palm Beach County sheriff's spokesman Paul Miller said.
Limbaugh's lawyer, Roy Black, said the prescription was written in his doctor's name "for privacy purposes." The conservative radio host was released without being charged and investigators confiscated the Viagra, which treats erectile dysfunction.
Limbaugh joked about the search on his radio show Tuesday, saying Customs officials didn't believe him when he said he got the pills at the Clinton Library and he was told they were blue M&Ms. He later added, chuckling: "I had a great time in the Dominican Republic. Wish I could tell you about it."
It is generally not illegal under Florida law for a physician to prescribe medication in a third party's name if all parties are aware and the doctor documents it correctly, said Mike Edmondson, a spokesman for the state attorney in Palm Beach County. He would not discuss specifics in the Limbaugh case Tuesday.
The sheriff's office was continuing its investigation and would turn the case over to prosecutors in several days, Edmondson said. The alleged violation could be a second-degree misdemeanor if Limbaugh's doctor doesn't confirm the prescription.
Under last month's deal with prosecutors, authorities will dismiss a "doctor shopping" charge if Limbaugh doesn't get arrested for 18 months, among other terms. Prosecutors had said he illegally deceived multiple doctors to get overlapping painkiller prescriptions. Limbaugh denied the charges but admitted he was addicted to painkillers.
This latest case may simply be dismissed if prosecutors can confirm with Limbaugh's doctor that the prescription was indeed for Limbaugh, said Kendall Coffey, a former U.S. attorney in Florida.
"It's perhaps a little embarrassing but not highly incriminating," Coffey said.
In addition, possession of Viagra is in a "completely different universe than a matter that would involve Schedule Two (controlled) substances such as OxyContin" Coffey added.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Viagra is not considered a controlled substance because "it's not something you can be addicted to," said DEA Investigator Maria Gilbert.
The Food and Drug Administration oversees regulations concerning non-addictive drugs that are not considered controlled substances, Gilbert said. A telephone call to the FDA was not immediately returned Tuesday.
Why the controversy? Because his name is Rush Limbaugh. Had it been you and me, no one would have ever heard about this. It's politics plain and simple!
Can you believe this? Such nonsense.
Oh Lord it's hard...
to be humble When you're perfect in every way I can't wait to look in the mirror Cuz I get better lookin each day ...
I'm wondering what that song is. Could be a clue to how he's playing this.
That would definitely apply!
A caller to the program today told Rush that he had wondered if he would be up for the show. :0)
Personally, I fully expect Rush to take matters into hand, and bring this whole affair to a climax. Hard as it might be, he should be able to ignore all the bitching,the moaning and groaning.
It would be a shame if he went soft on this. He must get on top of the situation immediately! I predict that by the time of his next show, he will have put the whole episode to bed.
O.K. Enuff of that!!! :o)
Kinda makes you lose any faith you ever had in the gubmint to decide what is important and what is not. Kinda makes you wonder.
The more likely explanation is that it was Marta's doing. He lost the weight and went on that regimen at the same time he started dating her, and if I'm not mistaken, I believe she was involved in exercise or nutrition in some capacity.
great line.
Mac Davis had a big hit in the 70s. "Baby, baby, don't get hooked on me."
With half his brain tied behind his back.....
Maybe he needs to untie it. He sure could use a full brain, because the excuses seem half-brained.
His father died of diabetes.
"Baby baby don't get hooked on me..."
Don't forget that doctors give "sample packs" of medication out all of the time to people to try. No story here, sorry libbies.
Who cares if he is diabetic or isn't? Millions of men of ALL ages take Viagra---including possibly Leno and Letterman, and all the other clowns making fun of him.
You tickled my funny bone with that one!
Well, diabetic or not, if Rush went on vacation with viagra but any women presently romantically involved with him didn't, he'll have some explaining to do.
Because the prosecutors have a hard on to nail Rush. Rush should stand firm against them and not go soft.
Talent on loan from Pfizer
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