Prosecutors Defend Taking Rush's Records

By Stephen M. Silverman

Wednesday March 10, 2004 03:21 PM EST

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Palm Beach County prosecutors are defending their seizure of Rush Limbaugh's personal medical records, saying they never violated the conservative radio host's privacy rights, reports the Associated Press.

Authorities are probing whether Limbaugh, 53, possibly went "doctor shopping" to enhance his stash of painkillers with overlapping prescriptions.

Although he has not been charged with any crime, Limbaugh, who on his program routinely called for automatic imprisonment of drug abusers, told his listeners in October that he was addicted to painkillers and was entering a month-long rehabilitation program.

Investigators went after the records last year, following a tip by Limbaugh's former maid to the National Enquirer that Limbaugh reportedly received about 2,000 painkillers prescribed by four doctors in six months at a pharmacy near his Palm Beach mansion.

Limbaugh's attorneys are asking the 4th District Court of Appeal to prohibit prosecutors from using the records, which were seized with a search warrant in November.

Assistant State Attorney James Martz argued this week that Limbaugh's records were grabbed because investigators feared evidence might be altered or destroyed, says AP.

Limbaugh's lawyer, Roy Black, had no comment on the filing.