Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Sentencing Law and Policy

Criminal Law

: Sentencing Law and Policy

Friday forum for prosecutors: Has Michael Phelps now been punished enough?

By Douglas A. Berman

The sports page of USA Today is asking here, "Is Michael Phelps' latest punishment fair?"  Here is how they set up the inquiry: We see that USA Swimming has brought the hammer down on Michael Phelps. The organization has suspended him for three months after a photo of him smoking marijuana appeared in a British tabloid. In addition, Kellogg's, one of his biggest sponsors, has dropped him, saying his image was not consistent with the breakfast cereal.... USA Swimming will also withhold Phelps' training grant money, which for the multi-gold medalist is probably more symbolic than punitive. Although they also decided to make Phelps' latest problem more of a punitive moment than a teaching one. Phelps, who told the Baltimore Sun yesterday that he is re-thinking everything, including the 2012 Olympics, said he plans to swim in the world championships in July...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on February 06, 2009 (boomark / email).