FROM CNN WIRES:

(CNN) - Punxsutawney Phil lied.

That's what a prosecutor in Ohio says. He has filed a criminal "indictment" against the famed groundhog, who, year for year on February 2, emerges from his burrow at Gobbler's Knob to predict whether spring will come early or winter will linger.

Gmoser is convinced that Phil is one and that he intentionally misled the nation. Now, trouble with the law is a brewing for the famous rodent from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Not really.

It's all in good fun, of course, and Phil's handlers are getting in on the joke. But they are not "ratting" him out.

Gmoser is sticking by his guns. "Punxsutawney Phil did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause people to believe that Spring would come early," the indictment reads.

He recommends the death penalty.

Butler County, OH prosecutor Michael Gmoser explains his reasoning for the indictment on "Starting Point" this morning.

READ MORE: Weather groundhog Phil 'indicted,' accused of lying as winter continues