Report - Limbaugh drug charge rare in courts

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Palm Beach County prosecutors investigating Rush Limbaugh for his prescription drug use have filed "doctor shopping" charges against only one person in the past five years, according to a review of court records.

Limbaugh's lawyer said the review by The Palm Beach Post in Saturday's editions offers more evidence that the conservative radio commentator is being unfairly targeted.

"Rush Limbaugh has been singled out for special prosecution because of who he is," Roy Black said in a written statement provided to the newspaper. "We believe the state attorney's office is applying a double standard."

State Attorney Barry Krischer denied Limbaugh was unfairly targeted, saying, "whether Mr. Limbaugh is subject to prosecution for any crimes is still under investigation."

Investigators obtained Limbaugh's medical records in November after discovering he received more than 2,000 painkillers, prescribed by four doctors, at a pharmacy near his home. Limbaugh's former maid told investigators she had been supplying him prescription painkillers for years.

Limbaugh's attorneys had argued that the seizure of the medical records violated their client's privacy and that the investigation was politically motivated. He recently admitted his addiction, saying it stemmed from severe back pain, and took a five-week leave from his afternoon radio show to enter a rehabilitation program.

The Palm Beach Post review found only one case in which the county filed charges of illegally acquiring overlapping prescriptions. The defendant died before trial.

Doctor shopping, punishable by up to five years in prison, is duping at least two doctors into prescribing the same controlled substance in a 30-day period.

Two other doctor shopping cases were transferred from other counties and prosecuted in Palm Beach County, the newspaper found. One woman was convicted and received 18 months probation; another case has not yet gone to trial.

A telephone message left Saturday at Black's offices was not immediately returned.