MICHAEL PHELPS - PHELPS FACES PROBE OVER 'DRUG-PIPE' SCANDAL

PHELPS FACES PROBE OVER 'DRUG-PIPE' SCANDAL

Olympic swimming star MICHAEL PHELPS is facing a police investigation over a photograph which shows him holding a glass pipe associated with cannabis use. The athlete was forced to apologise after British newspaper the News of the World published a shot of the gold medal-winner holding the pipe - commonly known as a bong - to his lips at a party in Columbia, South Carolina that took place in November (08).
And now a police spokesman for the state force has insisted the star could be prosecuted over the incident.
Cops have launched an investigation to determine whether charges could be brought against Phelps.
Sheriff Leon Lott Jr., of Richland County police, Columbia, says in a statement to People.com: "If someone breaks the law in Richland County, we have an obligation as law enforcement to investigate and to bring charges.
"The Richland County Sheriff's Department is making an effort to determine if Mr Phelps broke the law. If he did, he will be charged in the same manner as anyone else. The Sheriff has a responsibility to be fair, to enforce the law and to not turn a blind eye because someone is a celebrity."
In a statement released on Sunday (01Feb09), Phelps called his behaviour "regrettable" and put the incident down to "bad judgment".