Pubdate: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 Source: New York Times (NY) Page: B14 Copyright: 2009 The New York Times Company Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298 Cited: Richland County sheriff http://www.rcsd.net/ Referenced: The News of the World article and photo http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n140/a11.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Michael+Phelps Bookmark http://www.mapinc.org/people/Leon+Lott PHELPS WILL NOT FACE CHARGES AFTER PHOTOGRAPH COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A South Carolina sheriff said Monday that he was not going to charge the 14-time gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps after a photograph showed him using a marijuana pipe. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said he could not ignore the photograph but defended his investigation. "Michael Phelps is truly an American hero," Lott said. "But even with his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of our state." The photograph showed Phelps using a marijuana pipe at a party in November when he visited the University of South Carolina. Phelps has said his judgment was bad and that he would learn from his mistake. USA Swimming suspended Phelps for three months in the wake of the photograph, and Kellogg Co. said it would not renew its endorsement deal with him. The photograph surfaced in the British newspaper News of the World on Feb. 1. Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, did not dispute its authenticity. News of the World said the picture was taken during a party while Phelps was visiting the university nearly three months after the Olympics. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake