Olympic officials say swimmers Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz were released from custody after agreeing to stay in Brazil and speak with police, report the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) and the Washington Post.
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Conger and Bentz were released by local authorities early Thursday after being pulled from a flight at the Rio de Janeiro airport amid uncertainty over what truly took place during a late outing the night Olympic swimming wrapped up at the Rio Games. However, investigators told The Associated Press they have not found evidence to support the swimmers’ claims.
Court officials had called for the four swimmers’ passports to be seized, but Lochte already had returned to the United States before authorities could enforce the decision. They also point to “inconsistencies” in the swimmers’ accounts.
On Wednesday night, Matt Lauer spoke with NBC Olympics anchor Bob Costas after interviewing Lochte over the phone from his home.
Matt Gutman of ABC News reports that there is video of Lochte, Gunnar Bentz, Jimmy Feigen and Jack Cognac getting into a fight at a gas station, which resulted in a restroom door being “broken down” and included a scuffle with a security guard.
Representatives from the US consulate arrived at the airport shortly after the swimmers were stopped from leaving. “And that’s when he says two men approached the auto with guns and badges”.
Lochte is one of the most successful swimmers in history, with 12 Olympic medals and he once had his own reality television show in the US. Lochte said one put a gun to his head. I don’t know what all the controversy is. They were basically taken out of the taxi and robbed.
The office of Judge Keyla Blank confirmed the order to seize the swimmers’ passports in a statement Wednesday.
“The swim team moved out of the village after their competition ended, so we were not able to make the athletes available”.
They also said that Feigen and Lochte gave different accounts of how many men robbed them.
The official, who has direct knowledge of the investigation, spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about an ongoing probe.
The four swimmers told USOC officials they were in a taxi when they were “stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes’ money and other personal belongings”, a USOC statement said.
“[Nobody] in law enforcement, said, ‘Hey, it would be a great idea if you stick around Rio while the investigation unfolds, ‘” Lauer said, recounting Lochte’s recollection of the events.
Lochte’s lawyer, Jeff Ostrow, has said there is no question the robbery happened.
Lochte described the incident to NBC’s “Today” show Sunday. “They pulled out their guns, they told the other swimmers to get down on the ground – they got down on the ground”.
Officers from the Civil Police have spoken to the driver today after he came forward, as they attempt to finally get to the bottom of the weird incident that is causing a huge diplomatic row between the USA and Brazil.
“And then the guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, ‘Get down, ‘ and I put my hands up, I was like ‘whatever.’ He took our money, he took my wallet – he left my cellphone, he left my credentials”.
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Steve Bentz, father of Gunnar Bentz, when reached by phone late Wednesday night, said: “I really don’t want to say anything”, and hung up.
