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Rush Limbaugh in pill probe
New York Daily News ^ | 10/02/03 | TRACY CONNOR

Posted on 10/02/2003 1:21:45 AM PDT by kattracks

Talk-radio titan Rush Limbaugh is being investigated for allegedly buying thousands of addictive painkillers from a black-market drug ring.

The moralizing motormouth was turned in by his former housekeeper - who says she was Limbaugh's pill supplier for four years.

Wilma Cline, 42, says Limbaugh was hooked on the potent prescription drugs OxyContin, Lorcet and hydrocodone - and went through detox twice.

"There were times when I worried," Cline told the National Enquirer, which broke the story in an edition being published today. "All these pills are enough to kill an elephant - never mind a man."

Cline could not be reached for further comment yesterday, but her lawyer, Ed Shohat of Miami, said his client "stands behind the story."

The Daily News independently confirmed that Limbaugh is under investigation.

His lawyers, Jerry Fox and Dan Zachary, refused to comment on the accusations and said any "medical information" about him was private and not newsworthy.

They said Limbaugh - who has a top-rated syndicated radio show but resigned early today from a weekly ESPN football segment amid criticism of racial comments about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb - was traveling and had no comment.

The Palm Beach County state attorney's office, which is running the probe, said it could not confirm or deny the allegations.

Scoring in parking lot

Cline told the Enquirer she went to prosecutors with information about Limbaugh and others after four years of drug deals that included clandestine handoffs in a Denny's parking lot.

She said she wore a wire during her last two deliveries to the conservative commentator and gave the tapes to authorities.

She also gave the Enquirer a ledger documenting how many pills she claimed to have bought for him - 4,350 in one 47-day period - and E-mails she claimed Limbaugh sent her.

In one missive, Limbaugh pushed Cline to get more "little blues" - code for OxyContin, the powerful narcotic nicknamed hillbilly heroin, she said.

"You know how this stuff works ... the more you get used to, the more it takes," the May 2002 E-mail reads. "But I will try and cut down to help out."

The account Cline gave the Enquirer is that she became Limbaugh's drug connection in 1998, nine months after taking a housekeeping job at his Palm Beach mansion.

It started after her husband, David, hurt himself in a fall, and Limbaugh asked how he was.

"He asked me casually, 'Is he getting any pain medication?' I said, 'Yes - he's had surgery, and the doctor gave him hydro-codone 750,'" Cline said. "To my astonishment, he said, 'Can you spare a couple of them?'"

Husband's pills

Cline said she gave Limbaugh 10 pills the next day and agreed to give him 30 of her husband's pills each month. When the doctor stopped renewing the prescription in early 1999, Limbaugh allegedly went ballistic.

"His tone was nasty and bullying. He said, 'I don't care how or what you do, but you'd better - better! - get me some more,'" Cline said.

The housekeeper said she found a new supplier and arranged to hide Limbaugh's stashes under his mattress so his wife, Marta, wouldn't find them.

After several months, Limbaugh told her he was going to New York for detox and didn't need any more pills, Cline said.

But a month later, he said his left ear was hurting and asked her for hydrocodone, followed by an order for OxyContin.

Limbaugh, 52, suffered from autoimmune ear disease, a condition that left him deaf and had to be corrected with cochlear implant surgery two years ago.

Cline said she continued to make deliveries to Limbaugh even after she quit as his housekeeper in July 2001 - but he became increasingly paranoid, even patting her down for recording devices, she said.

In June 2002, Limbaugh told her he was going to New York for detox a second time.

After he returned, "I went to talk to him, and he cried a little bit," she said. "He told me that if it ever got out, he would be ruined."

She claimed that a lawyer for Limbaugh gave her a payoff - $80,000 he owed her, plus another $120,000 - and asked her to destroy the computer that contained the E-mail records.

Soon after, Cline and her husband retained Shohat and contacted prosecutors.

Feeling no pain

The drugs Rush Limbaugh is accused of abusing are legal only with a doctor's prescription. All are habit-forming.

- Hydrocodone

Anti-cough agent and painkiller similar to morphine. Side effects include anxiety, poor mental performance, emotional dependence, drowsiness, mood changes, difficulty breathing and itchiness.

- Lorcet

Brand name for the combination of Tylenol and hydrocodone, prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Side effects include dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, dizziness, tiredness, muscle twitches, sweating and itching.

- OxyContin

Potent time-release medication for relief of moderate to severe pain, known as hillbilly heroin because of black-market popularity in some rural areas. Side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, sweating, muscle twitches and decreased sex drive. A large dose can be fatal.

Originally published on October 2, 2003



TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: eib; nationalenquirer; rush; rushlimbaugh; slander; vicadin; wodlist
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Comment #61 Removed by Moderator

To: wideminded
Is it a fact that Rush's cochlear implant has left him with chronic pain?
62 posted on 10/02/2003 4:52:21 AM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife ("Life isn't fair. It's fairer than death, is all.")
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To: Labyrinthos
May I suggest that we give Rush our support and our prayers, but until all of the facts come out, we ought to shy away from the "left wing conspiracy theory," to avoid sounding like the enemy, and perhaps looking like fools at a later date.

I kept track of the print media during the impeachment wars. I'm examining the bylines on a lot of this Bush/Rush/Arnie stuff, and (ala Gomer Pyle) SURPRISE, SURPRISE! - it's the same crowd who were Clinton's most vociferous and insidious defenders. If Lars-Erik Nelson hadn't croaked during the 2000 recount wars, he'd be at the head of the pack.

...perhaps looking like fools at a later date.

Like that stopped the Democrats after the Clinton impeachment. Buck up, soldier - we're in a war, and the Stupid Party came to a gun fight with a knife, as usual.

The Democrats own the national media, and this is a full-court press (pardon the pun).

63 posted on 10/02/2003 4:52:26 AM PDT by an amused spectator
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To: kattracks
"- Hydrocodone

Anti-cough agent and painkiller similar to morphine. Side effects include anxiety, poor mental performance, emotional dependence, drowsiness, mood changes, difficulty breathing and itchiness."


So much for accuracy in media. I took Hydrocodone for 6 months for pain after two surgeries. It is commonly known as "Percocet". These people are trying to make it sound like he shot up or drank cough syrup every day. This story is so disgusting, I can't see straight.
64 posted on 10/02/2003 4:55:46 AM PDT by Beck_isright (Shenandoah and Blue Ridge will re-emerge as the investment of the 21st Century....)
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To: Labyrinthos
I agree with you only to the extent that there may well be something that provides a basis from which they concocted their story. Anyone can be very stupid especially when suffering from a terrible inner ear illness.

But your analogy to the Monica story is wrong, however. I am sure that this story is being packaged and spun fromthe getgo by the Democrats specialoperations unit. This is a political takedown. The "facts" being reported are all in the control of a supposed polica informant that is lawyered to a Democrat elections lawyer in Miami who was defending off-shore contributions to the Dem Senatorial campaign. Do you need a map? Then go to the fact of disclosure at all. Such informants do not routinely call the press and start sellling their story. I am sure that the Enquirer will have a cover so thay there will be no record of her actually being paid by it--but her allegiance has been secured in some way. The story is that at a certian point in Summer of 2002 she went to this lawyer. The truth is more likely that the Dem operatives approached and pressured this woman to dance to their tune. I will stop speculating at this point, but the imagination should be fertile here.

65 posted on 10/02/2003 4:56:31 AM PDT by ontos-on
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To: kattracks
I went to bed last night listening to reports about his ESPN resignation, and woke to the drug stuff. I'm keeping an open mind about the whole thing, but I am certainly suspicious of one simple fact: Clandestine drug buys and multiple detox sessions would have exposed Rush's identity to dozens of people. Anyone with a brain would realize the opportunity to exchange such explosive information for huge sums of money. But it appears the only person making the allegation is the one that's under investigation for dealing.

His personal foibles are of no interest to me, but if true, these allegations would certainly prove to be harmful to the conservative cause. He's just too big an icon.

66 posted on 10/02/2003 4:57:42 AM PDT by Mr. Bird
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To: Blacksheep
"But 4700 pills in one month hard to believe."

I took maybe 100 in one month. 4700 pills would mean he had to average 156 pills per day (30 day period). At 20 pills he would be dead and comatose. I would take 4 in one day and sleep most of the day, so I discount this story as bunk (at the time I weighed a lot more than Rush too).
67 posted on 10/02/2003 4:58:05 AM PDT by Beck_isright (Shenandoah and Blue Ridge will re-emerge as the investment of the 21st Century....)
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To: backhoe
"You may recall that right before 9-11, the usual suspects in the Jackal Pack Press were trying to paint oxycontin as the new Demon Drug-- there were stories of crazed codeine-heads driving maniacally all night through trailer parks to get their fix. I though it was a pile of garbage then, and still do."

I can just picture the codeine-heads driving maniacally all night through trailer parks.LOL

I have severe arthritis in my spine. I have taken Oxy for around 5 years. Taken as directed, it is a miracle pain relief drug. I would rather take one of these pills as compared to taking 8 Lor-tabs. Oxy's have made my life more normal. Without them I doubt very much I could function..I know I couldn't work.

Those abusing the drug give it a bad name.

68 posted on 10/02/2003 4:59:15 AM PDT by auggy (http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-DownhomeKY /// Check out My USA Photo album & Fat Files)
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To: Labyrinthos
May I suggest that we give Rush our support and our prayers, but until all of the facts come out, we ought to shy away from the "left wing conspiracy theory," to avoid sounding like the enemy, and perhaps looking like fools at a later date.

From my own personal experiences and observations, drug abuse knows no boundries -- age, sex, race, ethnic, relgious, economic, or political affiliation.

You're wasting your breath by trying to inject pragmatic common sense into this. They're into full blown, conspiracy theorizing rants now.

Thats the problem when allegations come out against outspoken social conservatives - their opponents react with an "I told you so" glee, those who suggested a more moderate approach can sigh in anticipatory sadness, and the fierce partisans can either experience extreme disillusionment or go off the deep end if the allegations prove correct.

69 posted on 10/02/2003 5:00:01 AM PDT by Chancellor Palpatine
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To: kattracks
Rush and Marta have one of those air mattresses he advertises. Rush is a big guy. First of all: how do you put something *under* an air mattress, which is like a water bed and not a double mattress with a place to hide stuff and how does one prevent crushing the pills?

I don't have one of these mattresses and I have never seen these sorts of pills, so I could be totally wrong; it just sounds odd to me.
70 posted on 10/02/2003 5:01:47 AM PDT by reformedliberal
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To: kattracks
Those shows are a waste of time. I don't understand why Rush would spend the time when he could be on the golf course.
71 posted on 10/02/2003 5:01:54 AM PDT by Jumpmaster
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How long does detox take? Two weeks? Three weeks? I really don't know. This report would seem to indicate a serious addiction. I can remember only one long period of time that Rush has been of of the show was when he got the implant.

72 posted on 10/02/2003 5:07:19 AM PDT by TheDeacon (Thank God for those willing to go into harms way.)
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To: kattracks
Sure hope there isn't much here. There is a chance the woman was caught and is now trying to plea bargain out by shifting the focus to others.
73 posted on 10/02/2003 5:07:52 AM PDT by Loyal Buckeye
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To: Labyrinthos
"From my own personal experiences and observations, drug abuse knows no boundries -- age, sex, race, ethnic, relgious, economic, or political affiliation"

Amen, Labyrinthos. Addiction pays no respect to social or economic strata. In fact, significant wealth and/or power can make it far more difficult to come to grips with an inability to control an addicting substance.

74 posted on 10/02/2003 5:08:41 AM PDT by Reo
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To: kattracks
The show should open today with Tammy Wynette singing "Stand by Your Man". Then for the first segment of the show some country tunes should be played about popping pills. Then close out with "Stand by Your Man". This should be Rush's statement about the matter for a few days.

Treat the drug problem with grace and good humor. Be a happy warrior same as Arnold Schwarzenegger. America will accept it. I know I will.
75 posted on 10/02/2003 5:10:46 AM PDT by dennisw (G_d is at war with Amalek for all generations)
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To: TheDeacon
Reformatted to make some sense. Maybe I need so of those drugs.

How long does detox take? Two weeks? Three weeks? I really don't know. This report would seem to indicate a serious addiction that would take some time to kick. I can remember only one long period of time that Rush has been off of the show and that was when he got the implant.
76 posted on 10/02/2003 5:10:57 AM PDT by TheDeacon (Thank God for those willing to go into harms way.)
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To: Beck_isright
I took maybe 100 in one month. 4700 pills would mean he had to average 156 pills per day (30 day period)........

He might have been experimenting with different ones and flushed a lot down the toilet in fits of remorse and paranoia. He was trying to hide his pill habit from Marta
77 posted on 10/02/2003 5:12:59 AM PDT by dennisw (G_d is at war with Amalek for all generations)
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To: sethhenschon
I have a very good grip. BTW, when stories are being planted and staged in their timing, I am suspicious. "Newbie" indeed. Joining yesterday and making this comment --oh it can't be true, let's see what he says today--is much too slick for my taste.

You could be innocent, and then again, the snakes [and there are a lot of them] operate by trying to appear innocent.

78 posted on 10/02/2003 5:13:00 AM PDT by ontos-on
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To: kattracks
Rush will pull out of this, as he always has. But if the allegations are true, and he did get his maid to supply him with pain pills, then he has a real problem with judgment. He has to know that he has enemies who will be all too happy to have something on him, and he should have been more careful than to have supplied the rope with which they would hang him.

Knowing Rush, however, the rope will break. He will break free and become even greater and more successful than ever!

I will pray for him.

79 posted on 10/02/2003 5:13:16 AM PDT by HateBill
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To: kattracks
Rush has hinted vaguely that there was some serious personal problem in his life over the last few years.

I remember his saying, several times, that wealth and fame weren't all they were cracked up to be. He would make some remark like 'if you only knew...,' trailing off elliptically.

Now that it's out (I believe the core story is true, though likely Cline has exaggerated grossly), I hope Rush will handle this like the big man he is.

Prayers going out for Rush.

80 posted on 10/02/2003 5:13:50 AM PDT by shhrubbery!
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