Rush Limbaugh Reaches Settlement with Prosecutors - Charge Will Be Dismissed In 18 Months

Friday, April 28, 2006 | Roy Black

[kristinn]

Rush Limbaugh's attorney has issued a statement announcing a settlement of the Florida prosecutor's investigation into alleged doctor shopping by Rush Limbaugh.

Details have been read by Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. Basically, the charge of doctor shopping is dismissed, with some conditions.

In response to media and other inquiries, Roy Black, Rush Limbaugh's attorney, released the following statement today concerning a settlement agreement with the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office to end the investigation of Mr. Limbaugh:

"I am pleased to announce that the State Attorney's Office and Mr. Limbaugh have reached an agreement whereby a single count charge of doctor shopping filed today by the State Attorney will be dismissed in 18 months. As a primary condition of the dismissal, Mr. Limbaugh must continue to seek treatment from the doctor he has seen for the past two and one half years. This is the same doctor under whose care Mr. Limbaugh has remained free of his addiction without relapse.

"Mr. Limbaugh and I have maintained from the start that there was no doctor shopping, and we continue to hold this position. Accordingly, we filed today with the Court a plea of 'Not Guilty' to the charge filed by the State.

"As part of this agreement, Mr. Limbaugh also has agreed to make a $30,000 payment to the State of Florida 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.

"Mr. Limbaugh had intended to remain in treatment. Thus, we believe the outcome for him personally will be much as if he had fought the charge and won."

The actions taken today are as follows:

-- The State Attorney has filed a single charge of doctor shopping with the Court. The charge is being held in abeyance under the terms of an agreement between the State and Mr. Limbaugh.

-- Mr. Limbaugh has filed a plea of "Not Guilty" with the Court.

The formal agreement between Mr. Limbaugh and the State Attorney will be filed with the Court on Monday. The terms of the agreement are substantively as follows:

-- Mr. Limbaugh will continue in treatment with the doctor he has seen for the past two and one half years.

-- After Mr. Limbaugh completes an additional 18 months of treatment, the State Attorney has agreed to drop the charge.

-- Mr. Limbaugh has agreed to make a $30,000 payment to the State of Florida to defray the public cost of the investigation.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060428/nyf133.html?.v=2

[Fawn]

I just hope Rush never Jaywalks...he'll be locked up for years.

[proudofthesouth]

My local NBC station reported the same thing. They even made it "breaking news"!

[TheForceOfOne]

Wikipedia "Pros and cons of plea bargaining"

In a plea bargain, the defendant is left to choose between the certainty of accepting sentencing for a much less serious charge, or the uncertainty of a jury trial in which the defendant might be found not guilty, but which also carries the risk of being found guilty of the original, more serious charges.

I think Rush decided to cut his loses and end the legal battle. The media would cover this like the OJ trial if it had gone that far and it would have affected his ability to continue his show which could lead to issues with the sponsors if Rush is not hosting for X amount of days, etc..

The negative media could also hurt his advertising dollars as many companies shy away from public figures in trouble like pro athletes such as Kobe Bryant who found himself being drop by companies using him as a spokesman.

I'm sure there was more involved in his decision other than his will to fight this in court. Copping a plea might have been the easiest way out with the least damage.

[onyx]

Exactly right!

[rodguy911]

not too surprising.

[eeevil conservative]

I had a GREAT DAY!

thanks for asking....

as for Rush..this is just ridiculous...

no one else would have been "handled" this way....heck child molesters get better "deals"

OY!

[onyx]

He's happy with the solution, therefore I am too!

[tobyhill]

I've never heard so many defense lawyers criticizing a deal like this, they should be nominating Rush's lawyer for the Defense Lawyer of the year award.

[eeevil conservative]

I bet Rush is glad ot have a solution....

they would have dragged him on for YEARS........

[rodguy911]

No question onyx, a political hit all the way.

[eeevil conservative]

BINGO!

[NeoCaveman]

No question onyx, a political hit all the way.

A political drive by hit.

[rodguy911]

Excellent point here, he really has to watch out for anything the rats might try and pull.

[rodguy911]

Yeah for sure EC, are you all rested up for Sunday?

[onyx]

Dirty politics by the democrat prosecutor.

[eeevil conservative]

Sunday?

(giggle...)

[rodguy911]

That's even bettter,lol!!

[demkicker]

Rush is my party and YOU can cry if you want to!

He's on my silver platter, the most in-tuned man in America! I Love Rush Limbaugh, so sue me!

[onyx]

WOO-HOO!
Love the mug shot.

GOOD to see you.