Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2003 Los Angeles Times Contact: http://www.latimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Author: Jesus Sanchez Note: Times Staff Writer Dana Calvo contributed to this report JUDGE OPENS LIMBAUGH MEDICAL RECORDS A Florida judged ruled today that prosecutors can review the medical records of radio talk show commentator Rush Limbaugh as part of an investigation into allegations that he engaged in "doctor shopping" to illegally purchase large amounts of pain killers. Attorneys for Limbaugh said that they would appeal today's decision by Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey A. Winikoff, who rejected their petition to dismiss search warrants issued for the seizure of Limbaugh's confidential medical records. However, the judge's order prohibited state prosectors from releasing the medical records to the public. In a transcript of his radio program today, Limbaugh said, "If we have to go to a Circuit Court of Appeals, a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, we will do so. This doesn't stop the state from opening the records. They can do it. But we'll just see how much the state respects our desire to follow the legal process all the way out on this." Barry Krischer, a Flordia state attorney, said his office seized and wanted to review Limbaugh's medical records to see if he was "doctor shopping" or looking for doctors willing to illegally prescribe him prescription pain killers. Today, Krischer repeated previous statements that his office had "scrupulously protected Mr. Limbaugh's rights" in obtaining medical records by court sanctioned search warrants. Limbaugh attorney Roy Black in a statement said that the radio host "was not doctor shopping and should not have to sacrifice his privacy to prove his innocence. The burden is on the prosecutor's office, not only to prove otherwise, but also to go through the appropriate legal process that protects an individual's right to privacy. We are confident we will prevail on appeal." Limbaugh, 52, told his listeners that he was addicted to pain killers and recently emerged from an Arizona rehabilitation center where he was treated reportedly for addiction to the painkillers hydrocodone, Lorcet and OxyContin. The commentator made the announcement after an October story in the National Enquirer said he purchased large amounts of pain killers from a former housekeeper. In the National Enquirer cover story, housekeeper Wilma Cline said she had sold Limbaugh large quantities of painkillers between 1998 and 2002. Cline no longer works at Limbaugh's $24.3-million Oceanside Palm Beach compound, but she struck an immunity deal with the Palm Beach County State Attorney's office in exchange for details of Limbaugh's alleged activity. According the Enquirer article, she said Limbaugh began taking painkillers to numb the pain in his ear. Limbaugh told his listeners on Oct. 10 that he started taking the pain medication after unsuccessful surgery for a herniated disc. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman