Groundhog's hander: Punxsutawney Phil is off the hook

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PENNSYLVANIA (CNN) -- Punxsutawney Phil is off the hook! Punxsutawney Phil has taken a beating in the media since predicting an early spring in February.

Phil's handler, Bill Deeley, says don't blame the groundhog. He says he was the one who misinterpreted the forecast.

Much of the country has been hit with cold temperatures and snow.

An Ohio prosecutor got so fed up with the winter-like weather he indicted Phil for fraud.He dropped the charge Tuesday, March 26th.

Phil's handler says everyone is relieved.

"We're feeling a sense of relief. Truly nobody wanted to go to jail. I don't want to go to jail, Phil didn't want to go to jail. So, it's a sense of relief it's over. But it's not Phil's fault, guys. It's all my fault. I'm the guy, and I goofed. I totally made a mistake. You got to give me credit for making a mistake. For owning up to it or whatever," Deeley said.

Now, the focus is off Phil and on Deeley.

He tells CNN there has been talk around town of his impeachment.