XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRI MARCH 05, 2004 10:07:34 ET XXXXX
LIMBAUGH CASE: JUDGE IN PALM BEACH HOOKED ON OXYCONTIN, REHAB, REMOVED FROM BENCH; NO CRIMINAL PROBE
A Palm Beach Country Judge -- who operated in the same jurisdiction that is current hearing the Rush Limbaugh pill case -- was hooked on OxyContin and forced from the bench, but was never investigated if he obtained the pills legally, the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal.
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Within the last 18 months, Palm Beach Country Judge Robert Schwartz was "involuntarily retired" and removed after he checked himself into a treatment center for dependency of the painkiller OxyContin -- the same drug at the center of the Limbaugh probe. �
"He was severely addicted to prescription pain killers," an insider tells the DRUDGE REPORT. "He probably got them from a variety of sources. But unlike Rush Limbaugh, he was never prosecuted! His records do not appear to have been seized nor were his doctors� offices raided. Talk about friend of the court!"
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News of the Palm Beach judge's ordeal appears to give credence to Limbaugh's claim that he is being selectively prosecuted.
Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer refused to comment Friday on the Judge Schwartz/Limbaugh confusion.
Judge Schwartz was hooked on OxyContin for eight years, says a source. He was removed from the bench in October 2002 only after he was unable to hold court, staying in his chambers for several hours a day!
Schwartz suffered from numerous psychological and emotional disorders, including drug dependency, anxiety, panic disorder and sleeping disorder.
Last fall, Limbaugh publicly acknowledged that he's addicted to pain medication and has completed a drug rehabilitation program.
He remains under investigation by Palm Beach County prosecutors for alleged doctor-shopping.
Now if only Palm Beach Country Judge Robert Schwartz was available to hear the case...
Developing...
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