Limbaugh Wants Med Records Sealed

Rush Limbaugh asked a court Monday to hear his claim that investigators violated his privacy by seizing his medical records and asked that the records not be released.

The conservative radio host cannot be treated for his medical conditions because the state seized his charts and files last month and intimidated his doctors, the court petition said.

Prosecutors have said they are investigating whether Limbaugh obtained and used prescription painkillers illegally. Typically, such records would not be released until a criminal investigation ends and charges are filed.

Limbaugh's rights have been scrupulously protected during the investigation, Palm Beach State Attorney spokesman Mike Edmondson said Monday.

Limbaugh's petition asks for a court hearing within three days.

"No citizen would want these highly personal details to be held by minions of the state to finger through at their leisure. Nor would any sane person wish his medical diagnosis and medical prescriptions to be widely published on television shows, tabloid newspapers, Web sites and the like," the petition says.

Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, has accused the State Attorney's Office of having political motives for its investigation. Black did not return a phone call late Monday.

Limbaugh surprised listeners to his radio show in October by announcing he was entering drug rehabilitation. His announcement came days after news reports about the criminal investigation surfaced.