LIMBAUGH DEAL AVOIDS DRUG RAP

Radio Host Accepts Tough Restrictions

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (AP) - Rush Limbaugh declared victory Monday
after signing a deal with prosecutors that will dismiss a
prescription fraud charge in 18 months if he complies with the terms.

Under the deal, Limbaugh cannot own a gun, must submit to random drug
tests and must continue treatment for his acknowledged addiction to
painkillers. But he did not have to admit guilt, and he continued to
proclaim his innocence on his radio show.

"From my point of view, the end result will be as if I had gone to
court and won, but the matter is concluded much sooner," the
conservative commentator, 55, told his listeners. "I have spent
thousands of hours and millions of dollars with lawyers over the past
27 months fighting this at every stage."

He pleaded not guilty Friday to seeking a prescription from a
physician in 2003 without revealing that he had received medications
from another practitioner within 30 days. The charge carries a
maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The deal also requires Limbaugh to be available to a court officer
for any questioning throughout the 18 months. The Palm Beach County
state attorney's office may revoke or modify the deal if he violates the terms.

Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, said his client has been undergoing
scheduled and random drug tests as part of a voluntary treatment
program and has passed them all.

Before his problems became public, Limbaugh had decried drug use and
abuse, often arguing that drug crimes deserve punishment.