Posted on 10/04/2003 12:07:26 PM PDT by kattracks
Despite screaming front page headlines and top-of-the-hour news reports suggesting that Rush Limbaugh is in legal hot water over allegations that he abused painkillers over a four year period, prosecutors and attorneys said Saturday that any actual criminal case against the top talk star would be weak.James Martz, the prosecutor who heads up the Palm Beach County, Florida task force investigating the Limbaugh case noted that police never actually caught the talk star purchasing any drugs. "Shy of that, we have very little leverage in the state system," he told the Palm Beach Post.
Martz said he is more interested in finding the heads of drug distribution cells rather than going after alleged low-level prescription drug users like Limbaugh.
Florida attorney Michael Salnick agreed that the case is weak, telling the Post, "I think that the state better have a heck of a lot more than what I'm seeing, hearing and reading right now."
"First of all you have a major credibility issue with these witnesses. The credibility issue starts with the fact they sold their story to The National Enquirer," the attorney said.
"I think it's legal suicide to go after a guy like Limbaugh with evidence as flimsy as this," Salnick added.
Another problem is that one of Limbaugh's accusers, David Cline, was convicted himself on cocaine trafficking charges in 1982.
What about the wire worn by Cline's wife Wilma, Limbaugh's housekeeper who told the Enquirer that she taped their last two drug transactions?
Apparently the recording is more legally problematic for the Clines than it is for Limbaugh. Attorneys told the Post that if Mrs. Cline did tape Limbaugh without his knowledge, she committed a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
What more, prosecutor Martz said such an illegally obtained recording would be inadmissible in court.
How about the emails supplied by Cline that purportedly document Limbaugh's drug deals?
Martz told the Post that any such evidence is of little value because it's difficult to actually verify who sent the email.
Further weakening any possible prosecution is the issue of Limbaugh's celebrity, which Florida attorney Marc Shiner said complicates the case.
"Why would drug dealers turn in their client unless they are trying to save their own neck -- or trying to make a couple hundred thousand dollars peddling their story to the tabloids?" he asked.
"If I was Roy Black," Shiner added, referring to the lawyer Limbaugh has reportedly hired, "I'd be sitting on the beach right now sipping a pina colada or watching a Marlins game and not worrying too much about Rush Limbaugh's criminal liability right now."
Would you be so forgiving if this was Begala or Carvile?
Do you whether or not the video tapes reported to have been used to blackmail Hillary are now in the possession of the authorities looking into the case? Has it been proven yet that that is hillary on the tapes, swinging the whip and biting the victim?
Do you whether or not the video tapes reported to have been used to blackmail Hillary are now in the possession of the authorities looking into the case? Has it been proven yet that that is hillary on the tapes, swinging the whip and biting the victim?
Yup. This is easier than trying to get legislation passed to run him off the radio.
Hell no!
It doesn't have to be all of them; just enough of them. And if the advertisers get spooked, that's it.
I should have added that the secondary purpose was to smear Republicans and Conservatives via guilt by association.
We're talking about prescription pain killers on the black market.
The number of celebrities who are known to have been hooked on these pills is extensive...Elvis, Liz Taylor etc. etc.
The idea that something like this could destroy the career of the number one radio host of all time is hard to imagine.
The number of celebrities who have been addicted to these kinds of pills and had it forgiven and forgotten by the public is extensive.
Elvis was not only addicted by died from pills yet continues to be one of the most revered icons in America.
If this is all that "will follow him forever", Rush has few problems.
And by your insinuation, you think he has been "truthfully" accused.
That housekeeper's story has enough holes to drive a truck through, as the ol cliche goes.
No make that three Mack Trucks.
By the way, NO ONE but that stupid housekeeper has accused Limbaugh of anything. Except of course the hateful know it all crowd who just criticizes Limbaugh just for the sake of criticism.
There's been times in my life that for $100,000 (or more), I would have made up stories about my own grandmother.
(NOT - but you get my point, I'm sure)
I think, if I am not mistaken, that the original story had her still procuring pills for him even after she left his employ.
Why should Rush give that slimeball housekeeper, and her backdoor handlers, the satisfaction of forcing him to admit or deny anything.
Does that mean that anyone anywhere can just make some allegations against someone, and they HAVE to go public and make a confession???
What if next week's National Enquire issue accuses him of having sex with little kids, backed up, of course, with an interview from kid who claims he knew Limbaught at one time or another?
My friends, if Limbaugh gives in to this, there will be no end to the number of accusers who come out of the woodwork to accuse him of something.
When did he have his implant put in? Wasn't it 2 years ago?
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