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Ryan Lochte Charged by Rio Police for Making False Report of Robbery

Ryan Lochte has been charged by Rio de Janeiro police for filing a false robbery claim during the Summer Olympics, the Associated Press reports. The news comes after the 12-time medalist apologized on August 19 for misrepresenting his story and claiming that he and teammates Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen were held at gunpoint at a Rio gas station after leaving a party on Sunday, August 14. 

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According to the AP, Lochte, 32, was informed in the United States so that he can decide whether to introduce a defense in Brazil.

After law enforcement in Rio reported that Lochte had “fabricated” his story, the athlete issued a public apology and later told NBC’s Matt Lauer on Saturday, August 20, that he “overexaggerated” the incident.

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Ryan Lochte
Ryan Lochte

“I left details out, and that’s why I’m in this mess,” he admitted. “[The people of Rio] put on a great Games. They did everything. And my immature, intoxicated behavior tarnished that a little.”

As previously reported, surveillance video shows Lochte and his teammates actually vandalized a gas station bathroom, and after being confronted were asked to pay for the damage by security guards. It was not clear from the video if a gun was pointed at the U.S. athletes.

Lochte’s teammates were previously detained as they attempted to return to the U.S., and Feigen, who has since defended Lochte, was ordered to pay $11,000 to a charity before leaving the country.

Lochte lost all his major endorsements on Monday, but it was announced Thursday he’ll be teaming up with Pine Bros. for a new campaign. The swimmer has also signed on for season 23 of Dancing With the Stars, multiple sources tell Us.

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