MORE TROUBLE FOR RUSH: DRUG ALLEGATIONS SURFACE

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh (
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com ) said Thursday he resigned as an ESPN sports
analyst to protect network employees from the uproar over critical comments he
made about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Limbaugh stepped down from the sports network's "Sunday NFL Countdown" late
Wednesday, three days after saying on the show that McNabb was overrated
because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

"The great people at ESPN did not want to deal with this kind of reaction,"
Limbaugh told the National Association of Broadcasters at its convention in
Philadelphia on Thursday. "The path of least resistance became for me to
resign."

Limbaugh did not directly address media reports that began surfacing Wednesday
that said the talk show host was under investigation in Florida into whether he
illegally obtained and abused prescription painkillers.

Premiere Radio Networks, which syndicates the politically focused "Rush
Limbaugh Show," issued a statement from Limbaugh earlier 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."

The Daily News, without identifying its source, reported Thursday that Limbaugh
was being investigated by the Palm Beach County state attorney's office. The
newspaper said it had confirmed the allegations, first reported by the National
Enquirer. CNN reported Thursday that sources close to the investigation said
Limbaugh had turned up as a buyer of powerful painkillers but that he was not
the target of the investigation.

Mike Edmondson, a spokesman for the Palm Beach County state attorney's office,
told The Associated Press his office could neither confirm nor deny that an
investigation was under way.

The Enquirer had interviewed Wilma Cline, who said she became Limbaugh's drug
connection after working as his maid, according to the Daily News. She said
that Limbaugh had abused OxyContin and other painkillers.

A Miami lawyer for the Clines, Ed Shohat, said Thursday, "The Clines stand by
the story." Shohat said neither he nor his clients would comment further.

Limbaugh is the radio host of the politically focused "Rush Limbaugh Show,"
syndicated in more than 650 markets. He had surgery two years ago to have an
electronic device placed in his skull to restore his hearing.