Sharpton Wants Public Apology from Limbaugh

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In an op-ed piece for the Wall Street Journal on October 16, Premiere-syndicated talk host Rush Limbaugh detailed his experience to become an investor in a bid to purchase the NFL's St. Louis Rams. In the piece, Limbaugh dragged Reverend Al Sharpton (syndicated by Radio One) through the mud and he's demanding a public apology. Limbaugh wrote:

"In 1998 Mr. Sharpton was found guilty of defamation and ordered to pay $65,000 for falsely accusing a New York prosecutor of rape in the 1987 Tawana Brawley case. He also played a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot (he called neighborhood Jews "diamond merchants") and 1995 Freddie's Fashion Mart riot."

Sharpton says that he did not have a "leading role" or any role in any riot in 1991. Sharpton says that Limbaugh's accusation would consist of a crime (having had a role in a riot) and is, therefore, defamation of character. Sharpton concluded that if Limbaugh didn't apologize by the end of the week, he plans to file a defamation suit against Limbaugh.