Pubdate: Tue, 29 Mar 2005
Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL)
Copyright: 2005 St. Petersburg Times
Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
Website: http://www.sptimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

LIMBAUGH REBUFFED BY STATE HIGH COURT

Its Refusal To Hear The Commentator's Appeal May Allow Prosecutors To Open 
His Medical Records Seized In A Drug Inquiry

WEST PALM BEACH - The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday declined to 
consider an appeal from radio commentator Rush Limbaugh claiming his 
privacy was violated when his medical records were seized for an 
investigation of whether he illegally purchased painkillers.

The 4-3 order was issued without explanation. The court said it would not 
consider any motion for a review of the order.

Search warrants were used to obtain the medical records in 2003. The 
documents have remain sealed, pending the outcome of the appeals.

A spokesman for Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer declined to 
say when that office might begin reviewing the records.

Limbaugh took a break from his conservative afternoon talk show Thursday 
for a doctor's appointment and did not comment on the ruling. "He has not 
been charged with a crime, and he should not be charged. His medical 
records will show he received legitimate medical treatment for legitimate 
medical reasons," Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, said in a statement.

Prosecutors seized the records after learning Limbaugh received about 2,000 
painkillers, prescribed by four doctors over six months, at a pharmacy near 
his oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach.

Limbaugh has maintained his innocence while acknowledging he developed an 
addiction to painkillers after he developed severe back pain. He took a 
five-week leave from his show in 2003 to go through rehabilitation.

Limbaugh argues that the case threatens privacy rights for all Floridians, 
a position that has drawn support from the American Civil Liberties Union.
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