Limbaugh Records Seizure Was Valid Says Florida Court
Florida prosecutors acted legally when they seized Rush Limbaugh's medical records during an investigation into whether the conservative radio host misused prescription painkillers, an appeals court ruled on Wednesday. Florida's 4th District Court of Appeal said the search warrant authorizing the seizure outweighed Limbaugh's right to keep his medical records private. Palm Beach County prosecutors are investigating whether Limbaugh went from doctor to doctor to obtain multiple prescriptions for controlled drugs, a felony known as "doctor shopping."
Limbaugh, who has not been charged with a crime, admitted an addiction to prescription painkillers last year and took time off from his popular syndicated radio show for drug rehabilitation. His attorney, Roy Black, said he would appeal Wednesday's ruling. Police obtained a search warrant and seized records in November 2003 from three doctors and a clinic that had treated Limbaugh.
According to court records, two people told police they had sold Limbaugh large quantities of the prescription painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycontin over several years. Pharmacy records indicated Limbaugh got prescriptions for controlled substances from four doctors in five months, the court records said.
