Rush Limbaugh Reaches Settlement in Prescription Drug Charges

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around Rush Limbaugh's settlement in a fraud case related to prescription painkillers, including the implications of his legal situation and the terminology surrounding his arrest and subsequent treatment program. Participants explore various aspects of the case, including legal definitions, public perceptions, and Limbaugh's actions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants clarify that Limbaugh was charged with fraud for concealing information to obtain prescriptions, suggesting he misled multiple doctors.
  • Others discuss the legal terminology of "arrest," noting that Limbaugh turned himself in and underwent a booking process, which some equate with being arrested while others dispute this characterization.
  • A participant mentions that Limbaugh's participation in a rehab program was part of a legal agreement, implying that the booking was a procedural requirement rather than a traditional arrest.
  • There is speculation about whether a warrant was issued for Limbaugh's arrest and how that affects the definition of being arrested.
  • Some participants express differing views on the appropriateness of calling Limbaugh's situation an arrest, with references to plea bargaining and the implications of charges being filed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether Limbaugh's actions constitute an arrest in the traditional sense, with multiple competing views on the legal definitions and implications of his case.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the legal definitions of arrest and the specifics of Limbaugh's legal agreement, including the nature of the charges and the conditions of his treatment program.

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Rush Limbaugh reaches settlement in prescription drug charges
By Brian Skoloff

The Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Rush Limbaugh reached a settlement with prosecutors Friday in a fraud case involving prescription painkillers, though the conservative radio commentator maintains his innocence.

Limbaugh turned himself into authorities about 4 p.m. on a warrant for fraud to conceal information to obtain a prescription, the first charge in the nearly 3-year-old case, said Teri Barbera, a spokeswoman for the state attorney. He was released an hour later on $3,000 bail.

Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, said his client and prosecutors reached a settlement on a charge of doctor shopping. [continued]
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002959804_webrush28.html
 
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that name rings a bell, but could who's Rush Limbaugh (well I live over the pond, I doubt you know who Kilroy is either).
 
Rush Limbaugh is a conversative talk host over here. I'm pretty sure he's nationwide... pretty far over to the right but there's worse.
 
Kilroy... I've heard that name before...
 
"Fraud to conceal information to obtain a prescription." That means he lied to his doctor in order to get a certain drug?
 
loseyourname said:
"Fraud to conceal information to obtain a prescription." That means he lied to his doctor in order to get a certain drug?

More than that. He was going to four different doctors simultaneously (each being deceived about the others), to get multiple prescriptions. Apparently he only went to one pharmacy though, that's how he was found out.

Stupid hippie.
 
I was listening to the story on the news last night. There is a misconception about the term "arrested." Not that I am defending the actions, but the term "arrested" to me brings up being put into cuffs and booked.

What they said did happen is that it was pre arranged by an agreement of the court for him to enter some kind of rehab program. For him to be allowed to participate in the program he did have to go through the booking process, i.e. fingerprints and mug shots. He walked in, did the shots and the prints and walked out. He was never detained. He does, however, start some kind of 18 month program now, the details of which I do not know. He will not be detained in any way, and will not have any kind of criminal record. Once the program is completed successfully, the incident will be expunged from his record (but not from people's minds!).

TECHNICALLY, the act of being booked, to many, is the same as being arrested. To others, it doesn't mean the same thing. I guess it shouldn't surprise me when we have a legal system that will allow the argument of what the word "is" is.
 
This just in:Bush says despite this arrest there still a investigation in the Iraqi
WMD faulty intellgence.:biggrin:

There's on his website about it.
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com
 
FredGarvin said:
For him to be allowed to participate in the program he did have to go through the booking process, i.e. fingerprints and mug shots. He walked in, did the shots and the prints and walked out.

That's called being arrested.

He turned himself in, which, granted, is different than being hunted like a wild animal. :biggrin:
 
  • #10
Ivan Seeking said:
He turned himself in, which, granted, is different than being hunted like a wild animal...

Now on the other hand, Tom DeLay...

:smile:
 
  • #11
Ivan Seeking said:
That's called being arrested.

He turned himself in, which, granted, is different than being hunted like a wild animal. :biggrin:
The one thing I didn't hear anything about was if a warrant was issued for his arrest. Also, they did not mention if he had to post bail in order to leave. If there was no warrant, then is it really an arrest? Like I said, his going into be booked was part of some legal agreement. I think It's splitting hairs, but at the same time, saying he was arrested doesn't seem quite the appropriate phrase.
 
  • #12
My take was that this was part of the deal he cut: He had to be arrested for the lesser crime agreed upon by Limbaugh and the DA. If he successfully completes the treatment program, in 18 months, charges will be dropped. So, obviously charges were officially filed. To me this means that the DA felt it was important that Limbaugh be arrested for a crime even if on a cooperative basis.
 
  • #13
Ahh. I didn't hear any of the plea bargaining aspect on the interview. He was being charged...so be it. I guess arrested is an appropriate term.