COLUMBIA (South Carolina), Feb 17: 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 Lett 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,” Lett said.

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

Phelps was suspended for three months by USA Swimming and lost a sponsorship deal with cerealmaker Kelloggs.

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.—AFP