His account was brought into question, however, after a security video emerged of the four swimmers interacting with security guards after vandalizing a gas station bathroom.
Advertisement
Lochte, who originally claimed he and several other swimmers were robbed at gunpoint after their cab was pulled over, fled Brazil last week before it became clear that his initial story was completely false. Feigen says in a statement posted Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, on the website of his lawyer in Austin, Texas, that “I omitted the facts that we urinated behind the building and that Ryan Lochte pulled a poster off the wall”.
“I am very thankful to be home in the United States with my family and that this ordeal has come to an end”, he said.
The United States and Brazil have an extradition treaty dating back to the 1960s, but Brazil has a long history of not extraditing its own citizens to other nations and USA authorities could take the same stance if Lochte is found guilty.
Lochte has since acknowledged he was highly intoxicated and his behavior led to the confrontation.
Feigen said the group left the French House party around 5 a.m.in a taxi to travel back to the Athlete Village.
The department’s chief has requested a letter be sent to Lochte explaining the legal process related to the charges, according to a statement. This was the first time I have ever had a gun pointed at me and I was terrified. “I realize I made a mistake by omitting these facts”.
Jeffrey Ostrow, Ryan Lochte’s attorney, told CNN he has not heard from Brazilian authorities. “Gunnar Bentz and I gave the man some money”. “I was trying to protect my teammates and for this I apologize”. Two other swimming teammates, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, did confirm they were forced to pay for damage caused at a gas station at gun point.
Advertisement
Days later, as scrutiny on Lochte’s story increased, police questioned Feigen again. He reached an agreement with a Brazilian judge to pay a $10,800 fine in exchange for the return of his passport so he could leave the country.
