Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2005 Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL) Copyright: 2005 Orlando Sentinel Contact: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325 Author: Peter Franceschina, South Florida Sun-Sentinel JUDGE REVIEWS LIMBAUGH'S MEDICAL DATA Jurist Searches For Pattern Of Drug Abuse WEST PALM BEACH -- A Palm Beach County judge ruled Friday that he will review Rush Limbaugh's medical records in private to determine which of them will be turned over to prosecutors investigating the conservative radio host's prescription-drug use. The ruling by Palm Beach Circuit Judge Thomas Barkdull comes two weeks after prosecutors told him that they want to see all of Limbaugh's medical records to determine if he engaged in a pattern of prescription-drug abuse. During that hearing, Assistant State Attorney James Martz told Barkdull that the records could show that the conservative radio host engaged in doctor shopping -- secretly obtaining overlapping prescriptions from different doctors in one month. Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, argued that the records should be limited to the time period between March 2003 and September 2003. Prosecutors cited prescriptions Limbaugh received during that time to obtain search warrants for his medical records from four doctors. Barkdull ruled he would conduct an "inspection of the documents to determine which documents fall within the scope of the warrants." The records that are not covered by the search warrants will be returned to Black, Barkdull ruled. The judge's order also prevents prosecutors from disclosing any of the records to anyone not involved in the investigation. The judge did not set out a timetable for his review of the records, which were seized in late 2003. Limbaugh, 54, of Palm Beach, has not been charged with any crimes. He fought prosecutors from gaining access to the sealed records and lost all the way to the Florida Supreme Court. The 4th District Court of Appeal ruled that prosecutors properly seized the records, but the judges said Black could ask Barkdull to determine which of them are relevant to the investigation. Limbaugh had admitted to an addiction to pain medication, attributing it to severe back pain. He took a five-week leave from his radio show to enter a rehabilitation program in October 2003. Peter Franceschina is a reporter for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, a Tribune Publishing newspaper. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh