Pubdate: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA) Copyright: 2003 Richmond Newspapers Inc. Contact: http://www.timesdispatch.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365 Author: Associated Press LIMBAUGH UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR MONEY LAUNDERING WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Authorities are investigating whether radio commentator Rush Limbaugh illegally funneled money to buy prescription painkillers, a law-enforcement source who spoke on condition of anonymity said yesterday. In his third day back on the air after rehab, Limbaugh responded with a blanket denial of the allegations first reported Tuesday by ABC News. "I was not laundering money. I was withdrawing money, for crying out loud," Limbaugh said during his three-hour broadcast. Limbaugh was absent from his show for five weeks after announcing he was entering a drug-rehabilitation program because of his addiction to prescription painkillers. He told listeners yesterday he could tell them little about the allegations. "I know who's behind it, and I know what the purpose of the story is, and I'll be able to tell you at some point," he said. Law-enforcement sources in Palm Beach County, where Limbaugh owns a $24 million oceanfront mansion, previously confirmed that a criminal investigation into a prescription-drug ring involved the conservative talk-show host. His former maid reported supplying him with OxyContin and other painkillers. Authorities learned two years ago during an investigation of U.S. Trust bank in New York that Limbaugh withdrew cash 30 to 40 times from his account at amounts just under the $10,000 bank reporting requirement, ABC News reported Tuesday. A bank employee was reported to have delivered some cash to Limbaugh. It can be a federal crime to structure financial transactions below the $10,000 limit to avoid the reporting requirement. Limbaugh told listeners the report was misleading and that he had the bank bring cash to him at his New York office "maybe four times, if that many." Otherwise, he said he got cash from a bank in Florida, where he was living. "When I went to get cash, I took a check to the bank. I went to the bank officer. I said, 'Here's my check,' and they gave me the cash. There were witnesses to this," he said. Limbaugh said he started taking painkillers "some years ago" after a doctor prescribed them for chronic pain following spinal surgery. Limbaugh reported two years ago that he had lost most of his hearing because of an autoimmune inner-ear disease, but some medical experts have said abusing opiate-based painkillers can lead to profound hearing loss. Limbaugh had surgery to implant an electronic device to restore his hearing. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman