Limbaugh lawyer discussing plea bargain

CNN ^ | Dec 22, 2003

[george wythe]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- As attorneys for Rush Limbaugh went to court Monday to try to keep his medical records out of the hands of Florida prosecutors, there have been negotiations on a possible plea bargain for the conservative talk show host, according to a spokeswoman for his radio network.

[Lord_Baltar]

HG, how dare you speak such common sense and logic...

I mean these verbal contortionists have themselves so twisted up over this, it's downright funny.

It's like one of those Movie robots that gets contradicting information...

"but, the WOD is good, and ALL Drug Addicts are EVIL, but Rush is a Drug Addict and he's Good, but if ALL Drug Addicts are EVIL, how can Rush not be EVIL like ALL Drug Addicts, but but but...." (At which point sparks begin to fly from their ears, and their heads explode....)

Then they stammer and begin to spout that it's all Bill and Hill's fault that ol' Rushbo was popping Goofballs, and anyone who say's otherwise is a closet liberal...

[longtermmemmory]

One too many galactica episodes in your brain. (old baltar/new baltar?)

[TruBluKentuckian]

You didn't listen to a word I said did you?

I'm not defending Rush, I'm defending the truth. I provided you with examples (which you chose to ignore) that showed the statements you made to be absolutely false. I asked you then, and I challenge you now, to provide a source showing that any drugs were "seized" from Limbaugh's home. All you can respond with is insults against Rush (did he steal your prom date or something?)

If all you know about law enforcement is what you see on TV, get out of that barca-lounger sometime and attend a session of court. You'd see many, many people charged with the same exact crimes that Rush is accused. The majority of them can not afford a lawyer and use a public defender. The majority of them have no social standing at all, yet they avoid jail time even when pleading guilty.

As I said, you have no clue and your letting your obvious hatred toward Rush (for what ever reason) cloud your judgement. When you use terms like "another hollywood-type dope addict entertainer" you invalidate your entire argument and ruin your credibility on the issue.

[Lord_Baltar]

New Baltar? Oh, you mean that foppy, sobbing Brit pretending to be Baltar?

The TOS all the way!

[familyofman]

"Suggesting that Ann Coulter isn't the hottest piece of *ss on Planet Earth is enough to make you a liberal around here, too!"
She's ok as far as looks, but a tad too skinny & would need to be gagged (to shut up that grating voice).

[Hemingway's Ghost]

She's ok as far as looks, but a tad too skinny & would need to be gagged (to shut up that grating voice).

Damn. With an attitude like that, some around here will accuse you of being the ghost of FDR himself!

[Hemingway's Ghost]

I know. As a long-time anti-Drug Warrior on this forum, I've been having a ball with the Rush Limbaugh story. I'm hoping it changes a few conservative minds around here, but then again, I'm not holding out much hope. I think once you drink the Kool-Aid, it's one-way only.

[familyofman]

"With an attitude like that, some around here will accuse you of being the ghost of FDR himself!"

From one ghost to another - It's a short, happy life Harry.

[familyofman]

It's a short, happy life Harry.

I meant Francis, not Harry.

[Walkin Man]

http://www.centralmaine.com/news/local/250436.shtml Tuesday, December 16, 2003

Former Jackman man arrested in drug bust

By DARLA L PICKETT
Staff Writer

SKOWHEGAN -- A former Jackman man was arraigned Monday in connection with one of the largest seizures of Oxycontin in the Somerset and Kennebec County area, according to police.

Shawn Waldron, 19, allegedly found in possession of 800 narcotic pills -- over 500 of which were Oxycontin -- was charged with aggravated trafficking, a Class A felony that, upon conviction, can carry a sentence of more than 20 years- with a minimum of four years, according to Somerset Sheriff's Lt. Carl E. Gottardi II.

( snip ) Waldron, who also was arrested recently on a driving charge and violation of bail, remained in jail Monday night with bail set at $10,000 cash or $100,000 worth of property. Gottardi said he expects more charges to be forthcoming.

Meanwhile...so-called conservatives are broadcasting their outrage to the world that the police would have the audacity to look into their medical records for evidence of doctor-shopping.

Hell the police gave Rush a huge break when they didn't bust down his door in the middle of the night and seize his huge stash of dope. They had his dope dealer ratting him out with a tape recording of Rush asking her to get some more drugs for him.

Magically the usual dope raid at 3 AM didn't happen at the 24 million dollar mansion.

I wonder why?

/ massive sarcasm

I bet the toliet in Rush's house was working overtime when he found out what was going on eh?

Meanwhile...the saps who can't afford million dollar shysters are in the slammer along with people like Tommy Chong who are in prison for making glass pipes!

[Matchett-PI]

Reagan Man To: Howlin
Instead of going off half cocked and jumping to your usual irrational and emotional conclusions, how about waiting for the final verdict before you hang Rush. I don't know what Rush may be guilty of, but I'm willing to be patient. After 15 years of fighting for conservatism, I think Rush deserves the benefit of the doubt from those on the political rightwing. Conservatives and Republican's alike.
Right now this is what I see. Rush is being attacked by Florida based Clintonista's, like Barry Krischer. Here we have so-called FReepers like yourself, condemning Rush in the court of public opinion, while championing the reporting of the National Enquirer to boot. LOL

Rush never said he was a paragon of virtue, or a role model for anyone. Even PresBush sent his hope and prayers to Rush. May be you should follow PresBush`s example.

The real objective in these attacks on Rush, is to undermine conservatism and the conservative agenda. It's coming from the liberal establishment and from centrist-moderate blabbermouths like you, Howlin. Its quite clear, the leftwing wants to destroy Rush and some FReepers are playing right into the hands of these liberal scum.

331 posted 12/22/2003 8:56:06 PM EST by Reagan Man To 318

Exactly. But no one attacks anyone else *personally*, or pays even the slightest attention to him (in this case it's Rush), unless that person has EFFECTIVELY knocked the nose off of one of his/her idols (pet beliefs), or is EFFECTIVELY impeding an agenda. It always eventually becomes evident to all what those pet beliefs / agendas are that Rush has interrupted.

Those who don't have all the facts, but nevertheless have been "rushing in where angels fear to tread" (what are they called?) on these "Rush threads" are only digging their holes deeper in the eyes of more emotionally mature mentalities who are able to engage in critical thought.

I love to just stand back and watch the show. Hahahahaha

Rush's Statement on Ongoing Florida Fishing Expedition
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com
December 23, 2003

In case you missed it (I have it on audiotape and can transcribe it word for word) you can click on the link I'm providing and hear *even more* than what is in the transcript below.)

If he doesn't provide it on his web site, or if someone else doesn't get it, I may even go into the Palm Beach county courthouse and make a copy from the court file of the conveniently UNREPORTED words (the transcript) of his attorney in open court today. Hahahaha

Listen to Rush...
(...make his statement on the fishing expedition into his private medical records)
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_122303/content/statement.guest.html

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT 1:06 PM EST

All right, ladies and gentlemen. You know, it's been real frustrating here for the past - what has this been? - past three months. It has been very frustrating to sit here and see what gets released and then reported in the media and to have to remain silent about it for a number of reasons. The occasion for silence is now ended because of the medical records hearing that occurred yesterday here in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Now, the judge ruled against me on the privacy of my medical records despite the fact that we claim that the prosecution in this case did not follow the law as written by the Florida legislature in securing those medical records.

Where have we heard this before? "That authorities in Florida did not follow the law as established by the Florida legislature." We've heard this in the Gore-Bush recount, when the Florida Supreme Court decided to change election law in the middle of the process, in order to keep counting counties that had been counted over and over again. All these chads, all these magnifying glasses. So what has happened now, we've issued a press release, a statement, if you will, that just went out, and it's already been reported by some places. I want to read this to you and then have just a few comments about this, and then we will move on.

The headline of our statement - it's not really a press release; we just issued a statement in response - "My Lawyers to File for Stay, Appeal Judge's Ruling Denying Motion to Quash Search Warrant on Seizure of Medical Records." Here's the statement. Now, this is odd for me because it's got my name in it and I don't like reading about myself, but there's some quotes in here. So even though I never talk in this third-person business, please permit me in this case because it's a written statement that I'm going to read.

"Judge Jeffrey Winikoff today denied a request by Rush Limbaugh's attorneys (my attorneys) to quash the search warrants issued for the seizure of my confidential medical records. Roy Black, my attorney, said, quote, "We respectfully disagree with the court's decision and will be filing an appeal today. These records will show that there was no doctor shopping. But the larger issue is that the seizure of Mr. Limbaugh's private medical records without going through the process outlined by the state legislature is clearly an invasion of Mr. Limbaugh's constitutional right to privacy. Mr. Limbaugh was not Dr. Shopping.

"He should not have to sacrifice his privacy to prove his innocence. The burden is on the prosecutor's office, not only to prove otherwise, but also to go through the appropriate legal process that protects an individual's right to privacy. We are confident we will prevail on appeal," said Roy Black. In his order, the judge wrote, 'the state is hereby prohibited from disclosure of any of the seized medical records to all third parties absent further order of this court.'" Now, why would the judge say that? Why would the judge put in his order that the state is hereby prohibited from disclosure of any of the seized medical records to all third parties?

I'll tell you why, because the state has been leaking information to the press throughout this investigation. They have been planting information that is not established, throughout this investigation. Of course you've got an eager media lapping it all up. More on that in just a moment. "The judge's order directs Mr. Limbaugh's attorneys to file any motions or pleadings he deems appropriate." So we did; we filed for a stay today. We want to appeal this. If we have to go to a Circuit Court of Appeals, a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, we will do so. This doesn't stop the state from opening the records. They can do it. But we'll just see how much the state respects our desire to follow the legal process all the way out on this.

Now, let me take you back to the beginning of this. Do you recall how you first heard of this story, ladies and gentlemen? It was in a tabloid newspaper. Nothing from law enforcement. You first heard about this in a tabloid newspaper, and everything in that tabloid newspaper article was accepted as gospel. The media ran with it. It was The Truth. Then, we heard stories that I was involved in a drug ring investigation. This was leaked by "anonymous sources," "high-placed government sources close to the investigation." Next, we heard that I was being investigated for drug trafficking - again leaked by anonymous sources, high-place government sources, close to the investigation.

With each of these leaks the media did solemn reports on the possible severe penalties, and the investigation continues, and then they would casually whisper "No charges have been filed." Next, we heard that I was being investigated for money laundering, again leaked by anonymous sources, high-government sources, quote, unquote, close to the investigation. Now, ladies and gentlemen, what happened to all that? Hmm? What happened to all those things? What happened to the drug ring investigation? What happened to the drug trafficking investigation? What happened to the money laundering investigation? Have you heard of them since they were leaked? No. I wonder why? Why haven't we heard about these investigations?

Now maybe we can answer the question. Now, these same high-place government sources have gotten permission to see my medical records. Why do they need my medical records? I mean, if they've got a drug ring investigation going and they've leaked all this to the press, and if they've got drug traffic investigation going and they've leaked all this to the press, and they've got a money laundering investigation, why do they need to invade my privacy to see my medical records? The answer is, because they need my medical records to discover, to learn whether I have committed a crime called doctor shopping.

Drug ring, drug trafficking, money laundering. Now they need my medical records, my private medical records to find out if I've committed a crime called doctor shopping? You mean with all these previous leaks, they now have to invade my privacy to learn whether I have broken the law? Why, I thought based on the leaks I've broken the law all these times! How many of you did? How many of you thought, "Gee, whiz, this is really getting bad." Doctor shopping? Doctor shopping. And they need to invade my privacy to even find out about that. These medical records, by the way, will prove legitimate medical conditions requiring treatment. In fact it was...

Well, I don't want to get [into that.] I'm so tempted to just tell you, but I'm just not going to make their job any easier. But the question is this: Why would any of us want such records made public, even if they prove our innocence? It's not up to me to prove my innocence by giving up my right to privacy. I have to give up my right to privacy now in order for the state who is, in effect, just casting a line out there, hoping to net something. They've got to invade my privacy to do this. We still haven't seen Bill Clinton's medical records, have we? Has anybody? We haven't seen Howard Dean's records as governor for 11 years in Vermont.

But we can cast a wide fishing net, we can stand out there after all these leaks, and we can throw a fishing line out there and we can, "Ooh, let's maybe, maybe we'll find something in Limbaugh's medical records." Now, as you all know, I have admitted that I was addicted to prescription painkillers. I have been to five weeks of treatment. After failing twice to get off of these things myself, I sought professional help, did so, and I continue to be in treatment now. Now, I don't know, and this is...I run the risk here. I'm not whining about it. I'm just genuinely curious. How many such people are being pursued by the authorities?

I could give you some names of actors and actresses and sports figures, and not one of them have been pursued in this circumstance. Let me read to you from the New York Times today just to establish this leak business - and there's more than you even know about this. "During Mr. Black's presentation yesterday at the medical records hearing, the most detailed defense of Mr. Limbaugh since the investigation became public in October, the lawyer called the prosecution of his client 'a witch hunt built on leaks tailored to smear my reputation.' In court yesterday, Roy Black accused the state attorney's office in Palm Beach County of orchestrating leaks to several organizations, and details were given."

There was a court reporter there. Have you, in all the stories of this hearing yesterday, have you seen very many detailed references to what my lawyer said about the leaks in this case? Well, it's all there, if anybody cares to go get the court transcript, and you'll find out exactly what was said by my lawyer regarding this. My friends, it is, and has been, obvious to me for the longest time that all these leaks were an attempt to try me in the court of public opinion. The Democrats in this country still cannot defeat me in the arena of political ideas, and so now they are trying to do so in the court of public opinion and the legal system. I guess it's payback time. And since I'm not running for office, can't get to me that way. They're going to seek the occasion of this event in my life to see, to find out if they can do any damage. And that's as much as I want to say... No, that's not as much as I want to say; that's as much as I'm going to say about it at the memo. [sic]

END TRANSCRIPT

BTTT

[solitas]

I would question that he did in fact defend Noriega.

Well, earlier in the thread there are pictures of Noriega and Smith and I assumed the poster knew what he was talking about. DID black stand up for Noriega?

[Howlin]

What is the point of your post?

I assume that when you say

Those who don't have all the facts, but nevertheless have been "rushing in where angels fear to tread" (what are they called?) on these "Rush threads" are only digging their holes deeper in the eyes of more emotionally mature mentalities who are able to engage in critical thought.

you are lumping me and those of us who don't agree with you into that definition of "those who don't have all the facts."

And since you are declaring yourself an "emotionally mature mentality" and "able to engage in critical thought," unlike the rest of us, I suppose, just exactly what facts do YOU possess that the rest of us don't?

[Catspaw]

Roy Black is a Clintonista.

[joesbucks]

It is truly sad to watch someone who has set the bar so high for so many fail by using the same tactics of those he has chastized in the past.

We as conservatives had an effective voice until he let his arrogance and, yes his frailties, diminish his message. We can forgive him for his frailties. We shouldn't for his arrogance.

[dwd1]

I am from Muleshoe... Just kidding about that part. Though I do remember there was a joke about the fact the at Michael Irvin was not allowed in the huddle because a condition of his probation was that he not associate with "known" criminals... I was a fan even back when they went 1-15... I am also embarrassed to confess that I know what the D.D. in D.D. Lewis stands for...

[Lord_Baltar]

"I could give you some names of actors and actresses and sports figures, and not one of them have been pursued in this circumstance. Let me read to you from the New York Times today just to establish this leak business - and there's more than you even know about this. "During Mr. Black's presentation yesterday at the medical records hearing, the most detailed defense of Mr. Limbaugh since the investigation became public in October, the lawyer called the prosecution of his client 'a witch hunt built on leaks tailored to smear my reputation.' In court yesterday, Roy Black accused the state attorney's office in Palm Beach County of orchestrating leaks to several organizations, and details were given." """

Gee Rush, when the Clintonites tried this, you said "It's the Rule of Law Stupid....

[TruBluKentuckian]

You've failed the challenge. I asked for a source showing that ANY drugs were seized from Limbaugh and you post an article out of Maine about someone we've never heard of before.

Let me quote something from that article since you seemed to think it was pertinent:

"Waldron, who also was arrested recently on a driving charge and violation of bail, remained in jail Monday night with bail set at $10,000 cash or $100,000 worth of property. Gottardi said he expects more charges to be forthcoming."

Seems like this guy has been in trouble before. He's obviously not a first time offender like Limbaugh would be if convicted. Penalties go up as the number of arrests go up. This article has no bearing on our discussion at all.

Again, you avoid my points. You made claims back in the first post I responded to that you have failed (actually refused) to back up.

All I see from you is bitterness and hatred, not rational discussion.

[solitas]

Yup - I stand by my last: nothing but a talk show host. Ah! in your first posting you said his job was a public service - with which I take contention. In your rebuttal you said his contributions are a public service. Quite a different idea.

True, I agree, his motives are more capitalistic than altruistic: he'd shill the conservative viewpoint, the liberal viewpoint, the tree-hugger viewpoint, the wiccan viewpoint, etc... with equal commitment, vigor, and passion - whichever market paid the best $$$ - people can sense when you are ill-prepared for the task, and they won't listen to something that sounds phony or poorly defended. Were the motives altruistic: would he be charging for his newsletter and website? If he were interested in pure issues: would he have a call screener to filter them? I would think not.

(OT: say what you may want about CSPAN, they put everyone on the air without screeners: only a 'profanity delay', just in case)

'Entertainer'? as far as shilling-to-the-audience goes, I'll give you that point. More people that I speak with are increasingly becoming disillusioned with the 'noise' on the show (cigars, sports, lawsuits now, parodies, snottiness) and agree that it's getting to the point where once he passes the 50/50 point (information/noise) they're leaving for other shows - it won't be worth the effort to 'filter' what comes out of the radio.

wow! You even surely know what he does with his underwear! (I guess everyone should have a hobby...) You're SURE of his tax actions/decuctions? I think not - he doesn't want his medical records to implicate him, why would the public (assuming you're not his accountant) be privy to his tax records? He could have more loopholes/shelters than all of congress combined and you wouldn't know aboiut it until it comes-out in the star/Enquirer/etc. - just like his addiction/complicity.

IMO: the clintons be damned - it's a shame they wake to see each dawn. i won't waste keystrokes on such filth.

I don't speculate on whether he was dealing - if they can prove he had possible intent: good. if not: also good. Every time I read a drug arrest in the paper it's always "possession with intent to sell".

"a far greater threat" How? It would be a far greater threat to me IF I were scoring illegally and stockpiling quantities prohibited by the state's regulations, but I'm not ON any meds and can't AFFORD, financially or temporally, to take up that hobby.

I will give you the benefit of the doubt: your "victim of their own pain-killing medicine - or something equally potent" implication is not clear and, so, will be ignored.

BE outraged! It's good for your constitution: keeps the juices and brain activity flowing - just don't let it get away from you or be colored by devotion to a particular media personality whom you might idolize.

[solitas]

We can forgive him for his frailties. We shouldn't for his arrogance.

Good words! Thank you.
I would add however: neither should his illegalities (should they exist) be forgiven.