Limbaugh bank withdrawals under fire
By DEREK ROSE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Authorities are investigating whether radio host Rush Limbaugh skirted banking laws in getting cash to buy his illegal prescription painkillers, it was reported last night.
Limbaugh made between 30 and 40 cash withdrawals from his account at U.S. Trust in amounts just under $10,000, ABC News quoted law enforcement officials as saying.
At one point, a U.S. Trust employee delivered about $9,900 in cash to Limbaugh at his New York studio, ABC reported. Banks must report withdrawals of $10,000 or more to the federal government.
Law enforcement officials will decide this week whether to prosecute Limbaugh on the felony money-laundering charges, ABC News also revealed.
"There's no basis for these charges. He has not committed any acts of money laundering and he absolutely denies it," Limbaugh's lawyer, Roy Black, told ABC. "I can assure you - and Rush assures the listeners to his radio station - when we can, we will tell the story, and he will tell it himself. Everybody will see what has really gone on here."
Black could not be reached for further comment last night.
ABC's report also said that officials in New York, in addition to Limbaugh's home state of Florida, are handling the probe.
Representatives for New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and the New York State Banking Office said they were not aware of any investigation.
Limbaugh returned to the WABC radio airwaves Monday after checking himself into a painkiller detox program five weeks ago.
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