Swimmer Ryan Lochte
Brazilian police have charged American swimmer Ryan Lochte with filing a false robbery report over an incident during the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
A police statement on Friday said Lochte would be informed in the United States so he could decide whether to introduce a defense in Brazil.
The indictment will also be sent to the International Olympic Committee’s ethics commission.
Lochte initially said that he and fellow swimmers Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen were robbed at gunpoint in a taxi by men with a police badge as they returned to the Olympic Village from a party on August 15.
However, security video suggested the four actually faced security guards after vandalising a gas station restroom.
Lochte left Brazil shortly after the incident.
Under Brazilian law, the penalty for falsely filing a crime report carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison.
Lochte could be tried in absentia if he does not return to face the charge.
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