LIMBAUGH ATTACKS PALM BEACH PROSECUTORS, NEWSPAPER IN ADS

WEST PALM BEACH (AP) -- Rush Limbaugh took out ads in two South Florida
newspapers Thursday to attack prosecutors who are investigating allegations
he illegally purchased prescription painkillers.

In the ads, the conservative radio commentator renewed his accusations that
the criminal investigation was politically motivated, and he accused one of
the newspapers, The Palm Beach Post, of trying to discredit him to justify
the investigation. The ads include a reprint of a favorable 600-word
editorial from Sunday's edition of The Washington Times.

Limbaugh, who has not been charged with any crime, told his listeners on
Thursday that he bought the ads because "we just can't get our story out in
the editorial pages of The Palm Beach Post." The other ad appeared in the
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Post editor Edward Sears said Limbaugh has never responded personally to
his reporters' requests for comment. The paper has received comments from
Limbaugh's representatives and his attorney, Roy Black.

"The Post has accurately and responsibly reported on both Mr. Limbaugh's
admitted prescription drug abuse and the conflict between his lawyers and
the state attorney's office," Sears said. "If he wants to get his story
out, he's welcome to return our calls and talk to us."

State Attorney Barry Krischer, a Democrat, declined to comment on the ads
but he has previously denied Limbaugh's allegations that he began the
investigation for political reasons.

The criminal investigation against Limbaugh is on hold pending a decision
from the 4th District Court of Appeal, which will rule whether to release
Limbaugh's medical records. Investigators seized the documents last fall
but they were sealed after Limbaugh's attorneys argued the seizure violated
his privacy rights.

Prosecutors argue they need the records to determine whether Limbaugh
illegally "doctor shopped" to obtain pain pills, visiting several doctors
to receive duplicate prescriptions.

Limbaugh, who has repeatedly declined to comment outside of his radio show,
called the investigation "excessive" and also took aim at the Post for a
Sunday opinion piece.

The column said Limbaugh "excused the inexcusable" when discussing the
photos of Iraqi prisoners being abused at the Abu Ghraib prison.

"This is no different than what happens at the Skull and Bones initiation,"
the column quoted Limbaugh as saying. "I'm talking about people having a
good time. These people, you ever heard of emotional release? You heard of
need to blow some steam off?"

Limbaugh made the comments during his May 4 broadcast but said they were
taken out of context.

The columnist's "point was that because of my Skull and Bones comment, this
entitled the Palm Beach State Attorney to go after me and do whatever it
takes to show me, to teach me a lesson," Limbaugh said Thursday. "And I was
astounded that anything that I would say about any issue could become a
factor in a legal case that is about evidence."

Sears questioned why Limbaugh would take issue with the remarks of another
commentator.

"I find it amusing that opinions disturb Rush Limbaugh," Sears said.

Limbaugh admitted his addiction to prescription painkillers in October,
saying it stemmed from severe back pain. He took a five-week leave from his
afternoon radio show to enter a rehabilitation program. By then,
prosecutors had already begun their criminal investigation after learning
from Limbaugh's former maid that she had allegedly supplied him with large
quantities of pills for years.