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Jen -- From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Dec. 23) -
An attorney for Rush Limbaugh charged Monday that the conservative talk show
host was being blackmailed by the Florida couple whose allegations triggered an
ongoing investigation into his purchases of painkillers. During a
hearing over whether prosecutors should have access to Limbaugh's medical
records, attorney Roy Black said Limbaugh paid "extreme amounts of
money" to Wilma Cline, his former housekeeper, and her husband, first for
pills and then for extortion. Black alleged that the Clines had threatened to
go public with information about Limbaugh's drug use unless they received $4
million. Black said
Limbaugh wanted to contact the FBI, but was told by an unidentified friend that
if he went to the authorities, they would target him, and his political enemies
would use the information against him. "That's
exactly what happened," said Black, who also alleged that Cline's husband
was a convicted drug trafficker. The
accusation by Limbaugh's attorney came on the day that a judge began hearing
arguments over whether Limbaugh's medical records should be unsealed.
Prosecutors are investigating whether Limbaugh obtained and used prescription
painkillers illegally and want the records opened. No charges
have yet been filed against Limbaugh. Also Monday,
a spokeswoman for the radio network that carries Limbaugh's show said
discussions have taken place between Black and prosecutors about a possible
plea bargain to resolve Limbaugh's legal troubles. Keevin
Bellows, a spokeswoman for Premier Radio Networks, said Black had been talking
with the Palm Beach County state attorney's office about Limbaugh
"accepting responsibility for his actions." Bellows said
Limbaugh, who recently completed treatment for addiction to prescription
painkillers, "certainly had more pills than he could ever use."
However, she said Limbaugh never intended to sell the drugs. "He
wants this thing to go away," she said. "He won't admit to anything
he didn't do." Limbaugh is
broadcasting from South Florida this week and may say something about the case
on the air Tuesday, according to Bellows. According
to court documents, the investigation centers on whether Limbaugh engaged in
"doctor shopping" -- getting multiple prescriptions from several
doctors that he could not have received from just one. Such an offense is a
felony under Florida law. In court
documents, investigators say Limbaugh obtained about 2,000 pills during five
months, sometimes getting multiple prescriptions less than a month apart. Limbaugh has
insisted he has done nothing illegal. Earlier this
month, prosecutors executed search warrants to seize Limbaugh's medical records
from two doctors. Under Florida law, a judge must give his approval before
prosecutors can review those records. At a hearing
Monday afternoon, Limbaugh's attorneys argued that authorities should not be
given access to the records, saying prosecutors could have used "less
intrusive means" to obtain information for their investigation, such as
issuing subpoenas to doctors for records and information. But
prosecutors argued that the records are relevant and necessary to an ongoing
investigation into how Limbaugh obtained painkillers. Assistant State Attorney
James Martz said prosecutors feared records could be altered if authorities
subpoenaed them, rather than seizing them After
hearing from both sides, Circuit Court Judge Jeff Winnkoff said he will hand
down a ruling Tuesday. Sources have
told CNN that the investigation into Limbaugh's drug use began in February when
Cline, who once worked as a housekeeper at his home in West Palm Beach, went to
authorities. The Clines
later went public with their charges in the National Enquirer, alleging that
Limbaugh's representative had paid them hush money. Sources said the couple was
paid a six-figure sum for their story. 12/22/2003 16:02 GMT-5 |
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