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American Morning
Limbaugh Lawyers Talked About Plea Deal Last Year
Aired January 23, 2004 - 07:14 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.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Court papers show that prosecutors and attorneys in the Rush Limbaugh drug case discussed a plea deal. Those papers, obtained by a Florida newspaper, confirmed what CNN reported last month. The deal fell through for reasons that are not clear. Prosecutors want to know if the conservative talk show host obtained prescription painkillers illegally.
National correspondent Susan Candiotti is in our Miami bureau with more this morning.
Susan -- good morning.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
Yes, the Florida "Sun-Sentinel" newspaper got its hands through a public records request on some very confidential -- what appear to be confidential letters that were exchanged that do indicate a plea offer was in the works. This confirms what CNN reported last month, according to a PR spokeswoman for Rush Limbaugh.
And that is that starting back on December 11 there was a letter written by Roy Black, who represents Rush Limbaugh, to the state attorney, suggesting a pretrial intervention program, saying I believe this proposal would be in keeping with the public interest. The public is better served by treating addicts as patients rather than criminals. In other words, they were proposing no admission of guilt, but simply becoming involved in a drug treatment program.
Well, a few days later on December 15, there was another letter from the state attorney back to Roy Black, in which he states, well, our records -- quote -- "indicate evidence that would support in excess of 10 felony counts for violations." And he added: "We believe this case can be settled without a trial."
The state attorney offered these components of a plea deal: three years' probation, he would have to admit to a doctor shopping charge. Then there would be three years' probation, a drug treatment program, random drug tests, and community service. Then the judge would withhold adjudication. Eventually, those records could be sealed if Mr. Limbaugh successfully completed this drug treatment program.
Well, after that, the deal fell through. It was turned down eventually by attorneys representing Rush Limbaugh. The reasons why are unclear at this time. However, it's important to remind everyone that Rush Limbaugh is not charged at this time. He does remain under investigation, and the state's attorney's office says that he must be presumed innocent at this time.
O'BRIEN: Susan, a quick question for you. So, is there any indication, since the deal has fallen through, there is no deal, that there is another plea deal in the works, or is it just unclear?
CANDIOTTI: Our sources tell us that there is absolutely nothing in the works. In fact, Rush Limbaugh's lawyers have said that their client will not plead guilty to anything. And so, the investigation goes on. But, remember he hasn't been charged yet with anything.
O'BRIEN: Susan Candiotti for us in Miami. Susan, thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired January 23, 2004 - 07:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Court papers show that prosecutors and attorneys in the Rush Limbaugh drug case discussed a plea deal. Those papers, obtained by a Florida newspaper, confirmed what CNN reported last month. The deal fell through for reasons that are not clear. Prosecutors want to know if the conservative talk show host obtained prescription painkillers illegally.
National correspondent Susan Candiotti is in our Miami bureau with more this morning.
Susan -- good morning.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
Yes, the Florida "Sun-Sentinel" newspaper got its hands through a public records request on some very confidential -- what appear to be confidential letters that were exchanged that do indicate a plea offer was in the works. This confirms what CNN reported last month, according to a PR spokeswoman for Rush Limbaugh.
And that is that starting back on December 11 there was a letter written by Roy Black, who represents Rush Limbaugh, to the state attorney, suggesting a pretrial intervention program, saying I believe this proposal would be in keeping with the public interest. The public is better served by treating addicts as patients rather than criminals. In other words, they were proposing no admission of guilt, but simply becoming involved in a drug treatment program.
Well, a few days later on December 15, there was another letter from the state attorney back to Roy Black, in which he states, well, our records -- quote -- "indicate evidence that would support in excess of 10 felony counts for violations." And he added: "We believe this case can be settled without a trial."
The state attorney offered these components of a plea deal: three years' probation, he would have to admit to a doctor shopping charge. Then there would be three years' probation, a drug treatment program, random drug tests, and community service. Then the judge would withhold adjudication. Eventually, those records could be sealed if Mr. Limbaugh successfully completed this drug treatment program.
Well, after that, the deal fell through. It was turned down eventually by attorneys representing Rush Limbaugh. The reasons why are unclear at this time. However, it's important to remind everyone that Rush Limbaugh is not charged at this time. He does remain under investigation, and the state's attorney's office says that he must be presumed innocent at this time.
O'BRIEN: Susan, a quick question for you. So, is there any indication, since the deal has fallen through, there is no deal, that there is another plea deal in the works, or is it just unclear?
CANDIOTTI: Our sources tell us that there is absolutely nothing in the works. In fact, Rush Limbaugh's lawyers have said that their client will not plead guilty to anything. And so, the investigation goes on. But, remember he hasn't been charged yet with anything.
O'BRIEN: Susan Candiotti for us in Miami. Susan, thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
