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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman