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WEST PALM BEACH - Investigators who searched Rush Limbaugh's doctors' offices said in warrants released today that the conservative radio commentator engaged in illegal drug abuse and "doctor shopping" for prescription painkillers.
The warrants show investigators were looking for Limbaugh's medical records, medical questionnaires, cash receipts, sections of the appointment book for Limbaugh, canceled checks, medical insurance forms, computerized records related to the ordering of narcotics, prescription forms and prescription records.
"Mr. Limbaugh's actions violate the letter, and spirit" of the law that relates to "doctor shopping," stated one of warrants, signed by Asim Brown, a law enforcement agent assigned to an anti-money laundering task force at the State Attorney's Office.
Limbaugh denied any wrongdoing to listeners on his radio show earlier in the day and accused prosecutors in Palm Beach County of going on a "fishing expedition."
"What these records show is that Mr. Limbaugh suffered extreme pain and had legitimate reasons for taking pain medication. Unfortunately, because of Mr. Limbaugh's prominence and well-known political opinions, he is being subjected to an invasion of privacy no citizen of this republic should endure," Limbaugh attorney Roy Black said in a statement, which Limbaugh read.
State Attorney Barry Krischer said in a statement that Limbaugh's rights have been "scrupulously protected."
"Whether Mr. Limbaugh is subject to prosecution for any crimes is still under investigation. Mr. Limbaugh is presumed innocent," Krischer said.
Four search warrants were filed Thursday at the Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Two of the warrants were executed at the offices of Jupiter Outpatient Surgery Center and one was executed at Palm Beach Ear, Nose and Throat Association in Palm Beach Gardens, where investigators seized five months' of records from a Palm Beach pharmacy that they say supports the doctor shopping allegations. Information on the fourth warrant wasn't immediately available.
The date the offices were raided wasn't immediately clear.
The records seized name four doctors and prescriptions for medications that include Norco, Niacin, OxyContin, Xanax, Lorcet and others. The physicians named in the warrants are Dr. Nathaniel Drourr, Dr. Antonio De La Cruz, Dr. Lawrence Deziel and Dr. John Murray.
Drourr and officials at both centers declined comment, citing privacy laws. Murray did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Limbaugh was absent from his show for five weeks recently while spending time at a drug rehabilitation program because of his addiction to prescription painkillers.
Previously, law enforcement sources in Palm Beach County, where Limbaugh owns a $24 million oceanfront mansion, confirmed that a criminal investigation into a prescription drug ring involved Limbaugh. His former maid, Wilma Cline, reported supplying him with OxyContin and other painkillers.
Limbaugh said his doctors' records will clear him and questioned in the statement the tactics used in the investigation.
"We won't speculate on why the State Attorney's Office is handling Mr. Limbaugh's case the way it is. But what should be a responsible investigation is looking more and more like a fishing expedition."
The statement also said: "Let us make our position clear: Rush Limbaugh is not part of a drug ring. He was never a target of a drug investigation. He became addicted to a prescription drug during legitimate medical treatment. He has publicly admitted this problem and has successfully sought treatment which continues today."
Mike Edmondson, a spokesman for the state attorney's office, declined comment. Black did not return a call seeking comment.
Last month, a law enforcement source who spoke on condition of anonymity said authorities were also investigating whether Limbaugh illegally funneled money to buy prescription painkillers. The radio host responded with a blanket denial of the allegations during his third day back on the air.
Authorities learned two years ago during an investigation of U.S. Trust bank in New York that Limbaugh withdrew cash 30 to 40 times from his account at amounts just under the $10,000 bank reporting requirement, ABC News reported last month. A bank employee was reported to have delivered some cash to Limbaugh.
Following the report, Limbaugh told listeners it was misleading and said that he had the bank bring cash to him at his New York office "maybe four times, if that many." Otherwise, he said he obtained cash from a bank in Florida, where he was living.
"When I went to get cash, I took a check to the bank. I went to the bank officer. I said, "Here's my check,' and they gave me the cash. There were witnesses to this," he said then.
Online: www.rushlimbaugh.com