Richard Jewell was an American security guard and central figure in the Centennial Olympic Park bombing. Jewell was working as a private security guard on the morning that the pipe bomb went off. Jewell was first seen as a hero for getting people away from the package when he spotted it, then he turned into a suspect after the FBI leaked his name before he was officially charged. After his "88 days in Hell", he was cleared by the US Attorney's office and he sued media outlets. On April 13, 2005 Eric Rudolph pleaded guilty of carrying out the deadly bombing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and three other attacks across the South. It is unclear whether this vindication will allow Jewell to recover his status and reputation as one who saved lives. He is still living in the Atlanta area and has been able to return to a career as a police officer.

Cases

• In Richard Jewell v. NBC, Jewell sued after Tom Brokaw said, "The speculation is that the FBI is close to making the case. They probably have enough to arrest him right now, probably enough to prosecute him, but you always want to have enough to convict him as well. There are still some holes in this case." Even though NBC stood by its story, it agreed to pay Jewell $500,000.

• In Richard Jewell v. Cox Enterprises (d.b.a. Atlanta Journal-Constitution), Jewell sued for libel. The newspaper claimed Jewell was "an individual with a bizarre employment history and aberrant personality." It also said Jewell "fit the profile of a lone bomber."

• In Richard Jewell v. New York Post, Jewell sued for $15 million for a libelous cartoon drawn by Sean Delonas .

Sources

• Richard Jewell v. NBC, and other Richard Jewell cases

• Statement by Richard Jewell