AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE CLAIM THAT LIMBAUGH PURCHASED PAINKILLERS

Authorities in Palm Beach County are investigating a former housekeeper's
claim that radio talk personality Rush Limbaugh purchased thousands of
highly addictive painkillers through the black market, law enforcement
sources confirmed.

The story broke in this week's National Enquirer.

Limbaugh's former housekeeper, Wilma Cline, told authorities and the
tabloid that she supplied OxyContin and Hydrocodone to Limbaugh for four
years, sometimes participating in exchanges in a Denny's parking lot. Cline
said she was outfitted with a surveillance wire before two of the encounters.

Sources said the investigation is connected to a bust that closed a Lake
Worth pharmacy in May. World Health Association is accused of illegally
supplying customers more than 450,000 Hydrocode tablets, a potent and
addictive drug similar to OxyContin.

Cline's attorney, Edward Shohat, issued a prepared a statement Thursday:
"Mr. Shohat is not discussing the Limbaugh case beyond the statement that
his clients stand behind their story. Neither Mr. Shohat nor his clients
are giving any interviews at this time."

It's Limbaugh's second major controversy this week. Wednesday he resigned
from ESPN amid an uproar over comments he made about Donovan McNabb,
quarterback for Philadelphia Eagles. Limbaugh stated that McNabb was
overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed in
the NFL. Limbaugh, a football devotee, author and icon of the political
right, had joined ESPN's NFL Sunday Countdown just this fall.

Premier Radio Networks, which syndicates the Rush Limbaugh Show, syndicated
in more than 650 markets, issued a statement from Limbaugh early Thursday
saying: "I am unaware of any investigation by any authority involving me.
No government representative has contacted me directly or indirectly. If my
assistance is required, I will, of course, cooperate fully."