Pubdate: Fri, 14 May 2004
Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2004 News-Journal Corp
Contact:  http://www.n-jcenter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/700
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

LIMBAUGH ATTACKS PALM BEACH PROSECUTORS, NEWSPAPER IN ADS

WEST PALM BEACH (AP) -- Rush Limbaugh took out ads in two South Florida 
newspapers Thursday to attack prosecutors who are investigating allegations 
he illegally purchased prescription painkillers.

In the ads, the conservative radio commentator renewed his accusations that 
the criminal investigation was politically motivated, and he accused one of 
the newspapers, The Palm Beach Post, of trying to discredit him to justify 
the investigation. The ads include a reprint of a favorable 600-word 
editorial from Sunday's edition of The Washington Times.

Limbaugh, who has not been charged with any crime, told his listeners on 
Thursday that he bought the ads because "we just can't get our story out in 
the editorial pages of The Palm Beach Post." The other ad appeared in the 
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Post editor Edward Sears said Limbaugh has never responded personally to 
his reporters' requests for comment. The paper has received comments from 
Limbaugh's representatives and his attorney, Roy Black.

"The Post has accurately and responsibly reported on both Mr. Limbaugh's 
admitted prescription drug abuse and the conflict between his lawyers and 
the state attorney's office," Sears said. "If he wants to get his story 
out, he's welcome to return our calls and talk to us."

State Attorney Barry Krischer, a Democrat, declined to comment on the ads 
but he has previously denied Limbaugh's allegations that he began the 
investigation for political reasons.

The criminal investigation against Limbaugh is on hold pending a decision 
from the 4th District Court of Appeal, which will rule whether to release 
Limbaugh's medical records. Investigators seized the documents last fall 
but they were sealed after Limbaugh's attorneys argued the seizure violated 
his privacy rights.

Prosecutors argue they need the records to determine whether Limbaugh 
illegally "doctor shopped" to obtain pain pills, visiting several doctors 
to receive duplicate prescriptions.

Limbaugh, who has repeatedly declined to comment outside of his radio show, 
called the investigation "excessive" and also took aim at the Post for a 
Sunday opinion piece.

The column said Limbaugh "excused the inexcusable" when discussing the 
photos of Iraqi prisoners being abused at the Abu Ghraib prison.

"This is no different than what happens at the Skull and Bones initiation," 
the column quoted Limbaugh as saying. "I'm talking about people having a 
good time. These people, you ever heard of emotional release? You heard of 
need to blow some steam off?"

Limbaugh made the comments during his May 4 broadcast but said they were 
taken out of context.

The columnist's "point was that because of my Skull and Bones comment, this 
entitled the Palm Beach State Attorney to go after me and do whatever it 
takes to show me, to teach me a lesson," Limbaugh said Thursday. "And I was 
astounded that anything that I would say about any issue could become a 
factor in a legal case that is about evidence."

Sears questioned why Limbaugh would take issue with the remarks of another 
commentator.

"I find it amusing that opinions disturb Rush Limbaugh," Sears said.

Limbaugh admitted his addiction to prescription painkillers in October, 
saying it stemmed from severe back pain. He took a five-week leave from his 
afternoon radio show to enter a rehabilitation program. By then, 
prosecutors had already begun their criminal investigation after learning 
from Limbaugh's former maid that she had allegedly supplied him with large 
quantities of pills for years.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom