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Jeb Bush To Make Statement Regarding Daughter's Arrest

Aired January 29, 2002 - 12:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Just getting word we are going to hear from the Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, in about an hour's time, 1:45 p.m. Eastern time from Tallahassee to address the arrest early Tuesday morning of his daughter Noelle.

Let's get to Miami now and our Mark Potter, who is tracking this story -- I understand the governor talking in an hour, what more do we know right now, Mark?

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, what we know right now is rather preliminary. We are still pulling this together.

We just received a statement from the Tallahassee Police Department, the arrest report, and to be honest with you, I need to read this, to get the details, but what we do know, according to police officials, and according to jail officials in the Tallahassee area, Noelle Bush, Governor Bush's daughter, who is in her mid-20's, was arrested at about 1:15 this morning for allegedly and fraudulently trying to obtain a controlled substance, that is generically known as prescription fraud.

According to a police spokesperson, this occurred at a Walgreens store on North Monroe Street in Tallahassee. According to jail officials, she was processed and then released early this morning.

And we do have a statement that was issued by the governor, and I would like to read it to you right now.

It says, "Columba," his wife, "and I are deeply saddened over an incident that occurred last night involving our daughter Noelle. This is a very serious problem. Unfortunately, substance abuse is an issue confronting many families across our nation. We ask the public and the media to respect our family's privacy during this difficult time so that we can help our daughter. We will have no further comment on this issue. Thank you for your understanding."

Now that was a statement issued a short while ago from the office of Governor Jeb Bush. Now, we also have been told after that, that the governor is, now, expected to talk at 1:45 Eastern time, and we are making efforts to bring that to you live. So we will wait to see what the governor has to say.

But right now, what we know, is that his daughter Noelle was arrested early this morning, according to the police, attempting to fraudulently obtain a prescription. We do not know what this substance is, we hope to have that for you shortly -- Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: All right, Mark, quickly here, I don't know if you can answer this or not. Has she had any history with police that we know of in Florida?

POTTER: I don't think so. I haven't heard of anything, and certainly nothing is coming out right now. I do not think that is the case, no.

HEMMER: Okay, Mark, thanks. Mark Potter live in Miami. Again, as you mentioned about an hour away, we will have it for you if we can. Again, out of Florida, the governor's comments, Jeb Bush there.

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