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

[not2worry]

Greta's "Defense Team" evidently can't find enough real work. I'd like to see stats on how many times they have been right on their analysis. I don't think any one of them had the DC Sniper Case right. The only thing missing from this comedy of errors as Gloria All Rich.

[rodguy911]

Dirty politics by the democrat prosecutor.

Yeah for sure., CyberAnt mentioned something earlier about this might have been inspired by the Clintonistas, very interesting stuff there. Wouldn't it be nice to establish a link like that!

[mrsmith]

Rush did not "plea bargain": "accepting sentencing for a much less serious charge"

He did not plea guilty to anything. He pled "not guilty".

It's called "delayed adjudication", it's different. He is legally "not guilty" of anything.

(Just clearing that up- and now to bed...)

[TheForceOfOne]

Exactly, winning doesn't always have to mean victory. The Liberals would much rather see this thing dragged out for years and years versus what has happened. The Tom Delay ordeal has benefited the left and will continue to do so as long as the legal issue is dragged out and his reputation smeared. What is the old saying? "How do you get your reputation back"

[onyx]

Yes, it would, but I think Rush just wants to put this behind him.

[beyond the sea]

Doesn't look too much like Jeff Christie there.

http://user.pa.net/~ejjeff/christie.html

[M. Thatcher]

Thanks, all, for your many, many private emails of support.

[TheForceOfOne]

I may be misguided, that is what I have been seeing posted.

[meyer]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. Not a friend, but a case here in NJ. Merck is here in the next town so there was a lot of publicity about this particular case.

The person sued ought to have been the son in law doctor.

Presribing meds for family members is quite common I am sure, but very dangerous without an exam.

OK, I understand - I misread you post and came to the conclusion that it was your friend. Regardless, I hate to see someone go prematurely.

I agree - an exam should be performed, at least to screen for the typical problems and complications that might occur with the drug. I will say that when I was prescribed Vioxx, I didn't have a complete physical but I did get the vitals and the indications of the drug matched my symptoms. I think that certain problems with the drug weren't publicized so doctors didn't see the need to consider certain complications.

Or at least that is the impression that I get now concerning Vioxx. Admittedly, this is now hindsight based on what I've seen and read.

[TigersEye]

I don't believe it has been PROVEN, but one side effect of the drugs Rush was using is hearing loss.

It's interesting that a Google search on "Oxycontin, hearing loss" doesn't come up with one legitimate medical site just a bunch of news articles, most of which happen to mention Rush Limbaugh, and one half-assed med-help-chat site.

[RushCrush]

LOL!!!!

[M. Thatcher]

Rush did not "plea bargain": "accepting sentencing for a much less serious charge" He did not plea guilty to anything. He pled "not guilty". It's called "delayed adjudication", it's different. He is legally "not guilty" of anything.

Thanks so much for stating the facts.

I do hope all those insisting Rush "copped a plea," and all such absurdly uninformed comments, take note.

[LifeOrGoods?]

Uncle Sam's prosecution teams always want the same as it got in this case: MONEY.

[RushCrush]

Decorum states that you really should thank them privately for their 'private' messages.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Is that how it is now? Because I don't say it like you want me to, I'm misguided?

Yes. And, I don't know why this should suprise youl.

My friend, for many years, on many issues, I have agreed with you. And, I'm sure we will join intellectual forces again.

But, rational people can and will disagree. And this time, on this issue, I disagree with you.

Might I suggest you not take it personally...but, rather listen and perhaps give my opinion some credibility?

I sincerely hope you recognize that our disagreement does not make me your enemy.

Until we debate again....

[CDB]

The glee is disconcerting, no its disgusting. The media are supposed to be serious, to be the observers of world events.

They seem like a nasty high school clique. Why would you be gleeful about someone have an addiction to pain killers or someone about to be indicted.

There is something wrong with these folks.

Couldn't agree more, and look forward to hearing Rush's explanation on Monday.

[TheForceOfOne]

I am open for correction. I just got home and missed hours of the thread. I love Rush, always have and I wish him well.

[tobyhill]

Here in Texas we call it deferred adjudication. I'm never guilty of speeding, hint, hint.

[not2worry]

Ditto!

And what about Snoop Dog in London. Didn't see a ting on that escape with him and his possee.

Then the idiots on Greta's show start in with the race card. Give me a break....let's see Michael Jackson; Whitney Houston; Bobby Brown; Mayor Berry;

These are attorneys who are bigoted against successful conservatives and will play any card in the deck to make anyone in fly-over country look like Tony Soprano or Jed Clampet.

[M. Thatcher]

So sorry, decorum master. I got too many of them to answer right now, am off to a late dinner with my husband. Geez.