OLYMPICS

Ryan Lochte Cleared of Criminal Charge in Rio Incident: Lawyer

The Brazilian appeals court ruled in Lochte's favor 2-1 Thursday, attorney Jeff Ostrow told NBC 6

Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte was cleared of a criminal charge in the Rio Olympics incident that sparked international outrage, his lawyer confirmed Friday.

Last August, the 32-year-old was charged with filing a false police report over a gas station encounter during the Olympics.

Lochte admitted he "over-exaggerated" about having a gun held to his head at a Rio de Janeiro gas station, where he and three other American swimmers had stopped to use a restroom.

The swimmer was suspended for 10 months by the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Swimming, and he lost $100,000 in bonus money for the gold medals he won in Rio.

The Brazilian appeals court ruled in Lochte's favor 2-1 Thursday, attorney Jeff Ostrow told NBC 6.

“We are pleased that the court has finally dismissed the criminal prosecution against Mr. Lochte, while at the same time, appropriately recognizing that he committed no crime," said Ostrow. "It has been a long year, but in the end, justice prevailed.” Ostrow said the prosecution has 15 days to appeal again.

“We hope the prosecutors office realizes that legally this is the correct decision and will let this unfortunate saga end," Ostrow told NBC 6.

Lochte was set to compete in the Los Angeles Invitational Thursday, but announced he would not participate because of the recent birth of his son.

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