Gov. Bush’s daughter jailed on prescription fraud charge

Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Jeb Bush’s 24-year-old daughter was arrested at a pharmacy drive-through window Tuesday on charges of trying to buy the anti-anxiety drug Xanax with a fraudulent prescription.

Authorities said Noelle Bush apparently posed as a doctor and called in the phony prescription after suffering a panic attack Monday evening.

Bush, who was supposed to start a new job Tuesday as an administrative assistant at Infinity Software – and its president said Tuesday the job offer stands – was jailed and released pending a Jan. 31 arraignment. She could get up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.

Xanax, a prescription drug similar to Valium, is normally used to treat anxiety disorders.

“For people who are taking it for anxiety disorder, the incidence of abuse is quite low, but usually occurs in people who have history of abusing other drugs and is rarely abused alone,” said Dr. David Spiegel of Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders.

Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, issued a statement saying they were “deeply saddened” and “substance abuse is an issue confronting many families across our nation.”

According to police, a woman called a Walgreens pharmacy late Monday to see if a prescription had been called in for Noelle Bush. The pharmacist, Carlos Zimmerman, checked the voice mail and heard a woman claiming to be Dr. Noel Scidmore requesting a prescription for Xanax.

Zimmerman told police the prescription sounded suspicious because there was no quantity indicated. Within 20 minutes, the woman called back to check on the prescription and Zimmerman told her he needed her to specify a quantity. He received a voice mail message about 10 minutes later specifying the quantity.

He then called the doctor’s answering service. Another doctor returned the call and said the prescription should be treated as fraudulent.

When the woman called back to check on the prescription again, the pharmacist told her it would be ready shortly. Noelle Bush drove up about 1 a.m. and was waiting there when police arrived.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.