Brazilian Judge Denies Request To Dismiss Case Against Ryan Lochte

Months after leaving Rio, U.S. Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte‘s troubles with the Rio gas station incident aren’t over quite yet. A request for termination of the proceedings against Lochte has been rejected by Brazilian judge Juliana Leal de Melo.

Lochte, Jimmy Feigen, Jack Conger, and Gunnar Bentz were involved in a gas station incident that resulted in a false robbery report during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in August. In the report, Lochte alleged the swimmers had been robbed at gunpoint when returning from a party in Rio. However, it was later confirmed that Lochte’s story had been fabricated.

The termination request made by Lochte’s lawyer was based on “atypical behavior by Ryan,” as the case wouldn’t have been brought to the police had it not been for the heavy media attention. However, the judge noted that he was subject to Brazilian law, which allows the possibility of police investigation based on media reports.

The judge’s decision was made final on Monday and subsequently forwarded to the prosecutor, who now has 15 days to return the case to court.

As a result of the incident, all 4 swimmers have been handed suspensions by USA Swimming and the United States Olympic Committee. Lochte was suspended for 10 months, while each of the others were suspended for 4 months. All of the swimmers were barred from attending the 2016 Golden Goggles and the Olympic Team White House visit.

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Bill
7 years ago

I have to believe that this article is misinterpretating the judge’s statement about Brazilian law and police investigations based on media reports. Of course if police hear about a crime being committed, they are to going to investigate it. No matter how they hear about it. But if they find out it’s untrue, that’s the end of it. You don’t start charging people who spread the rumor for false report. No civilized country does that. That’s what police states do to terrorize their citizens. I know Brazil has it’s problems, but I find it hard to believe that it’s laws are that tyrannical and unjust. I don’t know. I could be giving Brazil too much credit.

Although, in this… Read more »

Harambe
7 years ago

Uhhh, hey Ryan… Pee goes in toilet #PGIT

Q-tip
7 years ago

I thought he already payed a fine? Why do they have such a hard-on for lochte? Probably trying to get all the money they can to help the financial disaster that was the olympic games

Sven
Reply to  Q-tip
7 years ago

Feigen did, Lochte has not yet been to trial and so he has not been fined.

Joe
7 years ago

Wonder if Lochtes going to carry on with his swimming career?????

Douglas Klein
Reply to  Joe
7 years ago

Why shouldn’t he? He will go out on his own terms when he is good and ready and not a split second before, notwithstanding the sheer stupidity of comments emanating from uninformed persons.

G.I.N.A
7 years ago

If they had gone to the White House they could have relieved themselves in the Rose Garden .Or wandered over to Michelle’s Organic Garden .

At the Golden Goggles – no I won’t go there . A new meaning .

Narwhal
7 years ago

I am an American living in Brazil. I was in Rio when Lochte did his thing. It was clear from the start that he was lying. It was also clear that Brazilian authorities and the genereral public were trying to give him every chance to save face but he completely screwed up.

All he had to do was apologize and admit he was wrong.

Spectatorn
7 years ago

Can SwimSwam also help to find out or report whether the other robbery cases against other Olympic athletes were being investigated to the full extend and followed up? I can recall at least one Australian Olympic athletes were reported by media to have been taken to an ATM to withdrawn cash.

I agree Brazil can run their law, but it is unsettling in this case how it highlight the different reaction and outcome of one crime over the other – maybe their law enforcement care more about people coming into Brazil doing anything wrong (lied in front of media) more than what tourists think is a crime (robbery against tourists).

Sven
Reply to  Spectatorn
7 years ago

The robberies of other Olympians were probably investigated and found to have occurred as reported, so there’s not much intrigue for the press to report. Regardless of our opinions on whether Lochte was right or wrong, I think we can all agree that the way the story came out and developed was atypical of most robbery reports (on top of involving one of the biggest names at the OG), which made it media-worthy. When the media hyped it up, the govt. got involved in order to save face.

A story about Olympians getting robbed at an ATM is kind of interesting, but that’s not a storyline the media can drag out and get people to really follow. When Olympians get… Read more »

G.I.N.A
Reply to  Sven
7 years ago

Afaik Joshua Palmer who allegedly slept safely tucked in all night on Copacabana beach was allegedly made to withdraw $1000 at 10.30 am by a street vendor . In broad daylight with security cameras at atms – ok . He was found wandering around walletless & helped by 2 local businessmen . He did not put in a complaint so don’t include him in your summary .

This sort of thing happens very regularly in Bangkok & such . Men get ‘ mannapped’ & held for payment for services rendered – at significantly upped prices . 1000$ is a lot , but then again its Olympic prices .

Yoyyyyy
7 years ago

He can’t miss training for Dancing with the Stars!!

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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