Rio Judge Refuses To Dismiss Ryan Lochte Case

If Ryan Lochte thought he was getting off easy in his criminal case in Rio, he was wrong.

As Nicki Swift previously reported, Lochte faced criminal charges and lost endorsement deals after he falsely claimed he and three other U.S. Olympic swimmers were robbed at gunpoint by individuals pretending to be police officers during the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian investigators soon called Lochte's account of the events into question, and as the pressure rose, Lochte and his teammates admitted that they "embellished" their stories.

Now, TMZ reports that a Rio judge denied Lochte's request to have his criminal case dismissed, and that's not all. The judge also recommended the case be moved to a higher court. It looks like Lochte's lies will cost him: a court representative told TMZ the gold medalist will likely have to pay a fine even higher than the $11,000 that his teammate, Jimmy Feigen, paid. A final decision will likely come this week.

Though Lochte publicly apologized for his transgressions, it doesn't mean he's necessarily learned his lesson. He told Us Weekly, "I don't think my suspension was fair. Getting endorsements [for Speedo, Ralph Lauren, Airweave and Gentle Hair Removal, combined worth millions] pulled, I don't think was right."

That said, Lochte added, "The suspension forces me to take a mental break. I guarantee I'll be a better swimmer. I will have drive and purpose. I don't want people to just remember me for this incident—I will change that."

Of course he will. We'll also remember him for his stint on Dancing With the Stars.