Michael Phelps Won't Be Charged Over Pot Pic

Us Magazine - February 16, 2009 1:46 PM PST
Story photo: Michael Phelps Won't Be Charged Over Pot PicMichael Phelps is sighted leaving a restaurant on January 4, 2009 in Miami Beach, Florida.Us Magazine
Fourteen-time gold medalist Michael Phelps won't be charged over a photo showing him smoking from a marijuana pipe a South Carolina sheriff said Monday.

"Having thoroughly investigated this matter, we do not believe we have enough evidence to prosecute anyone that was present at the November party," Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in a press statement.

Look back at Phelps' most amazing Olympic moments

Phelps has apologized for his "regrettable" behavior in the photo -- taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina. The pic was later published in Britain's News of the World.

See photos of Michael Phelps and other stars who said they've been bullied

Lett said Phelps -- who was suspended for three months by USA Swimming and lost a Kelloggs sponsorship deal -- "is not immune from his responsibilities to do what is right. He is also human and can make a mistake.

" Michael Phelps and I agree that something positive needs to come from this incident and that is a message of not using drugs," Lett's statement concluded. "My perspective is that the law pertains to everyone and our drug laws are to be enforced.

See today's top celeb news photos

"My hope again is that we all take this incident and make something positive from it," he said. "Parents please take this opportunity to talk with your children about illegal drug use."

More news from Usmagazine.com

comments

comments

comments 1-10 of 60  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Jazzy
    What you mean they dont have enough evidence, its a picture of him smoking pot!
    report abuseposted July 23, 2009 4:40 PM PDT
  • Matthyew Jayson Frit …
    Leave Michael alone
    report abuseposted March 8, 2009 3:46 PM PDT
  • I believe he did get off for the right reasons as far as the law goes. The law for weed is different from the law for alcohol. If they smell alcohol on you they can take you in. If they smell weed on you they can't do anything without some hard TESTABLE evidence. I don't think the picture would hold up in court.
    report abuseposted February 18, 2009 3:57 PM PST
  • you dont no mee
    OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OM G OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I LOVE HIMMMMMMMM
    report abuseposted February 18, 2009 10:01 AM PST
  • you dont no mee
    omk i love him
    report abuseposted February 18, 2009 10:00 AM PST
  • J2
    I'm very happy to see that he is not in that much trouble. He is a good guy and just made a mistake it's not a big deal at all. It was just some pot, everyone needs to back off. I'm glad to see that things are getting better for him.
    report abuseposted February 17, 2009 8:39 PM PST
  • J2
    I'm very happy to see that he is not in that much trouble. He is a good guy and just made a mistake it's not a big deal at all. It was just some pot, everyone needs to back off. I'm glad to see that things are getting better for him.
    report abuseposted February 17, 2009 8:39 PM PST
  • J2
    I'm very happy to see that he is not in that much trouble. He is a good guy and just made a mistake it's not a big deal at all. It was just some pot, everyone needs to back off. I'm glad to see that things are getting better for him.
    report abuseposted February 17, 2009 8:39 PM PST
  • D.O.C. commited
    black k, you want phelps to get charged and the only reason hes not is cause hes white... i bet if the same thing happened with a black athlete and they got charged you would be saying there isnt any evidence it was weed and its cause thier black. i am white and i have no problem with black people, i have problems with people like you, white or black that make everything about skin color.
    report abuseposted February 17, 2009 1:17 PM PST
  • JUGGALO MIKE
    I THINK SMOKIN POT IS A GOOD THING IT HELPS ME BUT I DO NOT THINK SOMEONE WITH A JOB LIKE HIS SHOULD SMOKE THNX
    report abuseposted February 17, 2009 11:08 AM PST
comments 1-10 of 60  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

Post A Comment

sign in to post a comment.

sign in

Help us to improve! - Send Your Suggestions