Could Rush Limbaugh be in legal trouble for calling Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke a "slut" and a "prostitute" during his radio talk show? Yes, says celebrity/attorney/feminist Gloria Allred.
Allred released a letter she sent Thursday to the Palm Beach County Attorney's Office in West Palm Beach, Fla., demanding that Limbaugh be prosecuted under an obscure Florida statute, Section 836.04, which states, according to the letter:
"Defamation -- Whoever speaks of and concerning any woman, married or unmarried, falsely and maliciously imputing to her a want of chastity, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s.775.083."
But County Attorney Denise Nieman pointed out to CNBC in an email that her office does not investigate or prosecute alleged criminal behavior and that Allred should have directed her letter to the State Attorney's Office. Allred, whose practice is based in Los Angeles, emailed CNBC later to say a new version of the letter has been forwarded.
You can read the first Allred letter in a .pdf document here. And here's the second letter.
More reading on this case:
Limbaugh apologizes to student he called 'slut'
Women react to Rush's apology: Not accepted?
CNBC's Ryan Ruggiero contributed to this report.
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