Rush Cleared In Viagra Probe

JULY 5--The bottle of Viagra that U.S. Customs agents seized from Rush Limbaugh last month had been prescribed in the name of a Florida psychologist who has been treating the star in connection with his addiction to pain medication, investigators revealed today.

In announcing that they would not charge Limbaugh in connection with his June 26 possession of the impotence drug, Palm Beach prosecutors reported that the Viagra had been issued by Limbaugh's cardiologist in the name of Steven Strumwasser, a Miami doctor who apparently began treating Limbaugh after the conservative radio host acknowledged his drug problem in late-2003.

While a prosecution memorandum released today (a copy off which you'll find here) identifies Strumwasser as a psychiatrist, Florida's Department of Health lists him as a licensed psychologist. As part of Limbaugh's recent plea deal in a "doctor shopping" probe, he was ordered to continue in a drug rehabilitation program with Strumwasser.

Since the Viagra prescription was written and filled in Dade County, Palm Beach prosecutors have referred their file to Dade County investigators since "any review of mislabeling of the prescription" must occur there.

Following the prosecution's announcement of its decision not to charge Limbaugh, the sheriff's office today released its original report on the incident at Palm Beach International Airport. After returning from the Dominican Republic on a private plane, Limbaugh was stopped by Customs agents after he was spotted "bypassing the inspection area." An agent then approached Limbaugh, the report notes, and informed him that, "he had not been inspected and was not cleared to depart U.S. Customs."

A subsequent search of his luggage turned up the Viagra, which Limbaugh said was given to him by Strumwasser in a bid to protect his "privacy." (3 pages)