- Title: Ryan Lochte expected to be summoned to testify in Brazil over robbery story
- Date: 25th August 2016
- Summary: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 25, 2016) (STATE TV) SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER "I think you will, by now, have seen the report that American Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte is going to be summoned to Brazil to give testimony. This is different from an extradition request but - and so, I'm hoping you can actually, perhaps, comment on it whether this has been raised to the State Department, whether there are any kind of diplomatic issues in the Brazilians' seeking his return to offer testimony." SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ELIZABETH TRUDEAU "So, we've seen those reports as well. Due to privacy considerations, I don't have information to offer. I would say, speaking broadly, we do encourage U.S. citizens, as always, to cooperate with law enforcement."
- Embargoed: 9th September 2016 21:59
- Keywords:
- Location: WASHINGTON,DC, UNITED STATES and RIO DE JANERIO, BRAZIL
- City: WASHINGTON,DC, UNITED STATES and RIO DE JANERIO, BRAZIL
- Country: USA
- Topics: Sport,Swimming
- Reuters ID: LVA0044WMM8U7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte, who has apologized for an "exaggerated" story about being robbed at gunpoint at the Rio Games, will be summoned to testify before Brazil's Justice Department, Fox News reported on Thursday (August 25). Lochte flew out of Brazil after his competition before formal questioning by Brazilian authorities.
If Lochte declines to attend, there would be no penalty, but he would not be able to engage in a plea deal, Fox said, citing comments by Detective Clemente Braune.
Lochte lost all four of his major sponsors, including Speedo USA and Ralph Lauren Corp, following his apology for an "exaggerated" story about being robbed at gunpoint at the Rio Games.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau confirmed that the U.S. government was aware of the Brazilian request but declined to comment due to "privacy considerations" on the Lochte case.
"So, we've seen those reports as well. Due to privacy considerations, I don't have information to offer. I would say, speaking broadly, we do encourage U.S. citizens, as always, to cooperate with law enforcement," Trudeau said.
Lochte's version of the incident embarrassed the host city, angered local officials and further revelations about it - casting doubt on Lochte's story - dominated news coverage of South America's first Olympics. - Copyright Holder: STATE DEPARTMENT TV
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