Limbaugh sketch repeated false claim that Rep. Frank "let a prostitution ring be run out of" his "home"

Summary: On his radio show, Rush Limbaugh aired a parody clip in which an impersonator of former President Bill Clinton repeated the false claim that Rep. Barney Frank "let a prostitution ring be run out of [his] home." In fact, the House ethics committee in 1990 determined that Frank "did not have either prior or concomitant knowledge of prostitution activities involving third parties alleged to have taken place in his apartment."

On the March 12 edition of his nationally syndicated radio show, Rush Limbaugh aired a parody clip in response to the scandal surrounding New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D). The clip featured an impersonator of former President Bill Clinton stating, "If you've made bad choices, we are the party for you. You can be a prostitute, buy a prostitute, or like [Rep.] Barney Frank [D-MA], let a prostitution ring be run out of your home." In fact, as Media Matters for America has repeatedly documented, the House ethics committee -- which, at Frank's request, investigated the allegations made by Stephen Gobie -- in 1990 determined that Frank "did not have either prior or concomitant knowledge of prostitution activities involving third parties alleged to have taken place in his apartment." Moreover, the committee did not conclusively determine whether Gobie was even using Frank's apartment for "prostitution activities," noting in its report that purported evidence offered by Gobie that he had been conducting a prostitution ring from Frank's apartment collapsed under scrutiny.

From the March 12 edition of Premiere Radio Networks' The Rush Limbaugh Show:

LIMBAUGH: At any rate, ladies and gentleman, Bill Clinton asked for some time on the program today.

CLINTON IMPERSONATOR PAUL SHANKLIN: Hello, this is Bill Clinton. Right now, a governor's career is wounded. At times like these it's easy to point fingers and throw the first stone. But I can truly relate to how Eliot Spitzer feels. Not because of Monica, but because of the love and forgiveness I found right here in our party, the Democrats. If you've made bad choices, we are the party for you. You can be a prostitute, buy a prostitute, or like Barney Frank, let a prostitution ring be run out of your home. Nothing you do could possibly offend any one of us. Been there, done that. We're a big tent with just enough room for liberals like you and me. So go ahead. Move on with your life. We'll help. We're the Democrats. The party of love.

—J.M.