Michael Phelps still not out of the woods yet as authorities investigate

By Sun-Times Wire

Not content to let all of this Michael Phelps madness disappear in a puff of smoke, South Carolina authorities seem to be actively gathering evidence to use against the swimmer.

Joseph McCulloch and Dick Harpootlian, the lawyers of two men arrested for marijuana possession claim the police seem hell-bent on nailing Phelps in connection with the arrests.

The lawyers said the two clients were renters at the house where the party apparently took place. Harpootlian said his client was at the party, but didn’t see Phelps smoke marijuana, while McCulloch said his client wasn’t there. The two have since moved and were arrested after police executed a search warrant at their new home and accused them of having a small amount of marijuana there. After they arrested him, they didn’t ask him, ‘Where did you get the marijuana?’ or ‘Who sold it to you?’ Almost all the questions they asked him were about Michael Phelps, Harpootlian said.

It would seem that Phelps is being treated much differently because of his celebrity. What other 23-year-olds would face this type of investigation for a months-old bong photo being posted on Facebook?

If you’re wondering what kind of penalties the swimmer would face:

Under South Carolina law, possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor that carries a fine up to $200 and 30 days in jail for the first offense. Possession of drug paraphernalia is a $500 fine.

Do you think authorities are being overzealous or is it important to make a public example and prosecute him to the full extent of the law? Do you just want this story to go away?

SC lawyers say cops making arrests in Phelps case (Sun-Times)

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