Brazilian police have charged Lochte with filing a false robbery report over the incident that occurred during the Rio Olympics.
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The police issued a statement confirming the indictment, saying “The investigation was concluded on Thursday and Olympic American swimmer Ryan Lochte was indicted for the crime of falsely reporting a crime”. Details of the charge might also be sent to the International Olympic Committee, which has formed an ethics committee to investigate the gas station incident.
In a statement, Lochte said he was with fellow USA swimmers James Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger when their taxi was stopped by thieves posing as police.
After his initial description of the events that night, Lochte backtracked and said he “overexaggerated” the story. “I’m human. I made a mistake and I definitely learned from this”, Lochte said in an interview.
He found himself in further hot water after the admission, drawing ire from the Brazilian government and losing three of his biggest sponsors: Speedo, Ralph Lauren and Syneron Candela.
All four of Mr Lochte’s main corporate sponsors have cut ties with the swimmer, putting his professional future in doubt.
Lochte’s claims embarrassed the Olympic authorities, highlighting security worries at the Olympics. But were he not to appear, Lochte would lose the opportunity to negotiate a fine before charges were pressed, Braune said.
Lochte left Brazil after the Games before police had a chance to question him.
Under Brazilian law the crime carries a maximum sentence of 18 months, and Lochte can be tried in absentia.
“I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend”, Lochte wrote.
After a scandal at the Rio Olympics cost US swimmer Ryan Lochte all four of his brand sponsors, Lochte is back with a new endorsement deal with cough drop maker Pine Bros.
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“There was no robbery of the kind reported by the athletes”, Veloso said. He’ll appear in ads that say the company products are “Forgiving of Your Throat”.
