Michael Phelps Bong Photo Won't Be Investigated, Sheriff Leon Lott Says

Did Sheriff Leon Lott receive death threats for saying he would prosecute Michael Phelps for taking a bong hit? Or did he just get hit with the common sense stick? The attention whore idiot has decided not to press charges against Michael Phelps over a silly little photograph. Ya think?! Everyone knew there wasn't sufficient evidence.

No charges will be filed against American swim star Michael Phelps from his being photographed with a pipe typically used to smoke marijuana, police announced on Monday.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said that after a full investigation into the November party at which Phelps was photographed, touching off a controversy that led to a three-month ban, there was not enough evidence to charge anyone.

"Having thoroughly investigated this matter, we do not believe we have enough evidence to prosecute anyone that was present at the November party," Lott said.

Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics six months ago, was shown holding a bong in a photograph published two weeks ago by a British newspaper, humiliating the superstar swimmer.

"I'm glad this matter is put to rest," Phelps said in a statement. "But there are also some important lessons that I've learned. For me, it's all about recognizing that I used bad judgment and it's a mistake I won't make again."

Phelps, 24, apologized for inappropriate behavior and was suspended for three months by USA Swimming. He also lost a sponsorship deal with cereal maker Kelloggs but now hopes the matter is in his wake and a lesson to others.

"For young people especially -- be careful about the decisions you make. One bad decision can really hurt you and the people you care about," Phelps said.

"I really appreciate the support my family and fans have shown me and now I will move forward and dive back into the pool, having put this whole thing behind me."

Police confiscated the bong, whose owner reportedly tried to sell the now-infamous pipe for 100,000 dollars on eBay, and questioned people regarding the party after learning it was staged near the University of South Carolina.

But Lott said he could not prove Phelps smoked marijuana.

"We had a photo and him saying he was sorry for inappropriate behavior," Lott said. "He never said, 'I smoked marijuana.' We didn't have physical evidence."

Lott had been criticized by some for seeking attention in going after Phelps but defended his inquiry as responsible law-enforcement given the situation.

"By ignoring the November incident, I would have been sending a message of tolerance and condoning the use of illegal drugs. I could not do that," Lott said.

"How can we teach our kids... not to do drugs, then look away when it's an important person?

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

source


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Michael Phelps Arrests Due to Bong Photos, Eight Arrested

The owner of Michael Phelps' cannabis bong has been arrested for putting Michael Phelps' bong on eBay for $100k.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has been taking a lot of heat from people in this country and all over the world. They want to know why Sheriff Leon Lott is going after Michael Phelps. Many are saying the sheriff should concentrate on more serious crimes.

Now it appears the case has expanded beyond Phelps’ activities. Lott says the picture indicated a law was being broken in his jurisdiction. He said he couldn’t ignore the violation just because Phelps is rich and famous.

Since investigators began trying to build a case, they’ve made eight arrests: seven for drug possession and one for distribution. These are arrests that resulted as the sheriff’s department served search warrants.

We’ve also learned that the department has located and confiscated that bong. Sources say the owner of the bong was trying to sell it on eBay for as much as $100,000.

The owner, who wasn’t even at the party, is one of the eight now charged.

Phelps is not one of those charged at this point, but the sheriff’s department has strong evidence that matches the photo to the house on Blossom Street.

I wanna move to Amsterdam.


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Michael Phelps Says He May Quit Swimming, May Not Compete in 2012

Michael Phelps is threatening to quit swimming all together. Michael Phelps recently told The Baltimore Sun that he may walk away from swimming for good. This would mean he wouldn't swim at the 2012 Olympic Games.

"This is a decision of mine that I'm not going to make today and I'm not going to make tomorrow. It's going to require a lot of time and energy and a lot of thinking for myself - but also talking to Bob and talking to my family and just deciding what I want to do. If I decide to walk away, I'll decide to walk away on my own terms. If it's now, if it's four years, who knows. But it is something I need to think about and decide what I want to do."

Whatever Michael. I just think that the Phelpster loves the publicity. Last week he got caught choking on bongs, this week he is threatening to walk away from swimming. That's just stupid. He is young and could set an even bigger record, and therefore make more money. That is just bad business, and if Michael has done anything smart during his career its doing good business. This is just a ploy to get the attention off of the pot smoking and the subsequent mess that followed.

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Michael Phelps Suspended by USA Swimming

Michael Phelps' judgement day may have just begun. Today the Olympian said he may not compete in Beijing, now USA Swimming has given him a punishment - no competitions for three months and no compensation from the organization.USA Swimming said, "This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero."

Michael won't fight the punishment.

In USA Swimming's defense, Michael has to receive some form of punishment for his actions or too many people would be upset and pointing fingers at USA Swimming, his sponsors and etc.

tmz


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Michael Phelps May Face Criminal Charges, Sheriff Lott

Michael Phelps looking solemn, he was accompanied by a bodyguard as he made his way to the Loyola College pool.

Phelps could face criminal charges, The State newspaper of Columbia, South Carolina reported Tuesday.

A South Carolina law enforcement official said he would charge Phelps if he could prove the U.S. Olympian smoked marijuana in his county. "This case is no different than any other case," Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said.

I'd like to think that this Sheriff Lott is joking, but the attention whore is actually serious. And if Michael Phelps were to face criminal charges, every other motherfucker at the party should too!!!!! He's not the only one who took a hit. What a possible waste of taxpayer dollars.




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Ashton Kutcher Defends Michael Phelps

Of course British tabloid News of the World would be interested in taking down American Olympian Michael Phelps, but celebrities are on Michael Phelps' side. Ashton Kutcher sounds off.

Ashton Kutcher on the Michael Phelps bong picture scandal.

"God forbid he hit a bong. Go ask your 20-year-old kid what they did last weekend. I'm not saying it was a smart move. But he doesn't need to be publicly outed for it.

"Whoever put the pic out is an ass!"

I couldn't have said it better myself, Ashton! The backlash is completely ridiculous and can you imagine how paranoid Phelps will be now?!!! Kinda sad. He can't take an effing hit without a scandal and whoever took the picture is really a piece of trash.



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Michael Phelps Smoking Pot Pictures, Apology and Possible Consequences

Michael Phelps issued this well-worded statement regarding the scandalous photo above.

“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

Phelps went to the University of South Carolina's football game on Nov. 6. where he received a big ovation when introduced to the crowd. He later hit up a college house party. The incident took place nearly three months after the Beijing Olympics when Phelps was taking a long break from training.

Phelps also was in Tampa, Fla., during Super Bowl week on behalf of a sponsor, but left the city before Sundays game when he planned on being at the stadium for the Super Bowl.

The U.S. Olympic Committee said it was “disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps,” who was selected the group’s sportsman of the year. He also was honored as AP male athlete of the year, and his feat in Beijing — breaking Mark Spitz’s 36-year-old record for most gold medals in an Olympics — was chosen as the top story of 2008.

“Michael is a role model, and he is well aware of the responsibilities and accountability that come with setting a positive example for others, particularly young people,” the USOC said in a statement.

“That said, we realize that none among us is perfect. We hope that Michael can learn from this incident and move forward in a positive way.”

Phelps was part of a group of elite athletes who agreed to take part in a pilot testing program designed to increase the accuracy of doping tests. His spot in the program could be at risk, said Travis Tygart, head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

“We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the type of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion,” the group said.

Also noteworthy is that Phelps has never tested positive for banned substances. This case is unlikely to fall under any doping rules. However, Phelps' consequences will most likely be financial from the sponsors that may be embarrassed and choose to distance themselves from the talented athlete with the janked up mug.

UK tabloid NOTW does NOT allege that Phelps was smoking herb - that's because they know the world will be upset at Dolphin Boy and them for effing with his career. Without a doubt, Phelps will continue to keep competing because he gets people to watch the Olympics, and generally speaking, he's just simply worth too much.

On a sidenote: I heard some legislator dude (not researching right now) is trying to pass a law so that cell phones make a sound when a picture is taken. On behalf of public figures and anyone who has been victimized by some scandalous photos, I fully support the bill and I hope it passes.

Alright, I found the info via Wired magazine,

A new bill introduced in the Congress by New York Republican Rep. Peter King requires mobile phones with digital cameras "to make a sound" when a photograph is taken.

The move is part of the 'Camera Phone Predator Alert Act' and the idea is to ensure privacy and safety of the public, especially children, claims the bill.

If enacted the bill would require any mobile phone in the US to make a sound "audible within a reasonable radius of the phone whenever a photograph is taken with the camera in such phone." A mobile phone manufactured after the date the bill is enacted will have no way of disabling or silencing the sound.

The idea is not as astounding as it seems. Japan already requires all cameraphones including the iPhone to make an audible noise when taking a photograph.



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Michael Phelps Smoking Pot Photo Is Real, Michael Phelps Apologizes!!!

Michael Phelps acknowledged “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment, “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,” Phelps said in the statement released by one of his agents. “I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

In a statement to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games did not dispute the authenticity of the exclusive picture published by the tabloid News of the World.

I thought the photo was not Phelps! Look at my photo comparisons below. I was wrong. Here are some pictures that I've picked out so that you can compare and contrast for yourself.

The guy in the bong photo's face is NOT as long as Michael's.

The guy in the bong photo's arm is NOT as thick as Michael's.

The bong guy's eyebrows are NOT as long as Michael's

The bong guy's neck is much shorter and thicker than Michael's, not to mention his hair is much thicker too.


Star reports, "He was partying out of control from the moment he got here to the moment he left." In town to visit a University of South Carolina sorority girl he was seeing, Michael instead "ended up just getting wasted every night," says the source.

At a keg party on Nov. 6, the witness describes Michael as "loud and obnoxious and slamming beers from the get-go. He was definitely the life of the party as every girl wanted a piece of him and every guy wanted to be his best buddy. He was eating it up.

"At one point someone asked him if he wanted to smoke some weed. Michael didn't hesitate and headed to a small back room, where he was immediately handed a big red bong. He grabbed the bong and a lighter and ripped a huge smelly bong rip."

The source continues, "He knew exactly what he was doing. He looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming the backstroke."

The next night Michael hit a bar in Columbia. "Michael was holding court, throwing back shots of booze two at a time, and pouring drinks to every cute girl," adds the source. "If he was there to visit his girlfriend, there certainly was no sign of it that night. All the celebrity attention is making him really cocky, and he's going to end up getting burned because of it."

Drama queen UK tabloid News of the World claims that Michael's spokeswhore Clifford Bloxham tried to make a desperate plea, offering that Phelps would become a columnist with NOTW for three years, host events and get his sponsors to advertise with the website.

Story source: Star,


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Michael Phelps Bong Photos, Michael Phelps Smoking Marijuana Pics

These pictures show Michael Phelps inhaling marijuana from a bong. Michael Phelps smoking marijuana pics will get him banned from swimming for four years. Michael Phelps got stoned and wasted and his career and endorsements are currently on the line."Michael came to town like a bull in a China shop," a source who spent time with Phelps in Columbia, S.C. tells Star. "He was partying out of control from the moment he got here to the moment he left."

In town to visit a University of South Carolina sorority girl he was seeing, Michael instead "ended up just getting wasted every night," says the source.

At a keg party on Nov. 6, the witness describes Michael as "loud and obnoxious and slamming beers from the get-go. He was definitely the life of the party as every girl wanted a piece of him and every guy wanted to be his best buddy. He was eating it up.

"At one point someone asked him if he wanted to smoke some weed. Michael didn't hesitate and headed to a small back room, where he was immediately handed a big red bong. He grabbed the bong and a lighter and ripped a huge smelly bong rip."

The source continues, "He knew exactly what he was doing. He looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming the backstroke."

The next night Michael hit a bar in Columbia. "Michael was holding court, throwing back shots of booze two at a time, and pouring drinks to every cute girl," adds the source.

"If he was there to visit his girlfriend, there certainly was no sign of it that night. All the celebrity attention is making him really cocky, and he's going to end up getting burned because of it."


Star

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Michael Phelps Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year

Michael Phelps is unattractive, that's undeniable, but the staff at Sports Illustrated left him hanging. They began Photoshopping his face, but they did not finish the product. The result is a cartoon, mannequin, extremely painful to look at Michael Phelps on the cover. He also needs to keep his mouth closed. Permanently.

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Michael Phelps' Girlfriend PHOTOS, topless Pics Carolyn "Caz" Pal

Michael Phelps' girlfriend Caroline "Caz" Pal would be nothing without her implants. She really isn't that pretty. Michael needs an upgrade, stat!

For more HOT new gossip visit www.poponthepop.com!

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