US swimmer Ryan Lochte’s little “over-exaggeration” has led to criminal charges being brought against him from the Brazilian government. For the new swimmer’s sponsors, Lochte simply made a mistake and we must move on, and in fact, the new campaign will be centered on forgiveness, despite the paternalism criticism expressed by some people.
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Despite tweaking the original details, Lochte never came out and said what Brazilian police claimed – that at least one of the swimmers vandalized the Rio gas station and urinated in it, causing armed security to demand that they pay for the damages. The swimmer’s initial story, which he told to NBC on the day of the incident, was that he and three teammates had been pulled over in a taxi by men with a police badge, and then robbed at gunpoint. Feigen, who initially stood by Lochte’s testimony, was not charged.
The crime faces a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and the 32-year-old can be tried in his absence. 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.
And Brazil has been somewhat lax about upholding its end of the bargain – Marco Polo del Nero, the head of Brazil’s soccer federation, is now wanted by USA authorities on racketeering and money laundering charges.
Mr Lochte flew out of Brazil after the Games before he could be questioned about the alleged false claim.
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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 US authorities could take the same stance if Lochte is found guilty. But Pine Bros Softish Throat Drops said it had signed an endorsement deal with the swimmer on Friday.
