Ryan Lochte Charged By Rio Police

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilian police on Thursday recommended prosecutors present charges against Ryan Lochte for a false crime report, after the USA swimmer told police and media that he and three team mates were robbed at gunpoint during the Rio Olympics.

As we’ve reported, Lochte told his mother, police and the press that he and three other USA swimmers were robbed at gunpoint earlier this month after thieves posing as police stopped the taxi they were traveling in.

Meanwhile, if Lochte gained one endorsement, Jamaican runner Usain Bolt – who has his own controversy involving having a one-night stand with a 20-year-old Brazilian woman in Rio – was signed by sports brand Nike to a lifetime deal, reports ESPN.

Bentz, Feigen and Conger were detained by Rio police before heading back to the US, and in follow-up statements revealed that they had indeed urinated behind the gas station and that Lochte tore a poster out of a metal frame on a wall before armed security demanded money from them.

If found guilty of lying in his declarations, Lochte could face at least six months in a Brazilian prison.

The swimmer’s spokeswoman, Melissa Nathan, said Lochte had no comment. Since he could not testify in the US, Lochte would need to appear in person in Brazil or be tried in absentia. Softish Throat Drops, which makes cough drops. The swimmer will appear in adverts saying that the company’s product is “forgiving on your throat”. Rio officials would then communicate the findings to US law enforcement.

Lochte left Brazil shortly after the incident and three days later, local authorities took Conger and Bentz off a plane heading to the United States so they could be questioned about the robbery claim.

“They let down our athletes”, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said of Lochte and the three others. And although jail time is a possible penalty for the charge, it’s a fair bet Lochte won’t have to go back to Rio against his wishes. He insisted, however, that he did not lie, but still issued an apology. “I just want to say I am truly, 110% sorry”. The news of the gas station assault also dominated news coverage of the Summer Games.

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The summons is expected soon, as civil police in Brazil said they will complete their investigation into Lochte’s initial claims this week.