Ryan Lochte Made Up Robbery Claims

Swimmer Ryan Lochte made up a story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio following an incident in which they damaged a gas station, according to the Associated Press
citing an unnamed Brazilian police official.

Swimmer Ryan Lochte and teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen claimed that they were robbed by individuals posing as police officers after leaving party early Sunday morning. Brazilian authorities questioned the allegation just days after offering an initial apology, citing a lack of evidence and inconsistent claims made by the swimmers. Brazil subsequently issued orders restricting the swimmers from leaving the country.

One of the swimmers tried to open a locked bathroom door at a gas station in the Rio suburb of Barra da Tijuca, according to the Associated Press. A few of the swimmers then allegedly worked together to push it open when it would not open, an unnamed security official told the AP. An armed security guard at the station demanded that the swimmers pay for the damage, though he did use his gun to threaten them, the report says. The group of swimmers paid for the damage they caused at the gas station in cash before departing, according to Reuters.

Lochte has already returned to the U.S. The other three are still in Brazil and cooperating with authorities, according to the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Source: AP