Did Ryan Lochte Lie? If He Did, Then Why?

If Ryan Lochte,  Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, Jimmy Feigen did in fact lie to Brazilian authorities and US Olympic security about being robbed at gun point last week, then a important question remains unanswered.  “Why?”

“The Robbery?”

US Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte along with three other US Swimmers reported last week that they had been robbed at gunpoint.  Ryan Lochte and the other swimmers allegedly reported that they were all in a taxi that was pulled over by bandits posing as police officers.  Lochte reported that they were all shown badges, that the bad guys were wearing police uniforms, pointed weapons at them ordering them to the ground.  The group reported that their wallets and money was stolen by the robbers.

The Story Unravels

Brazilian authorities are questioning the statements provided by Lochte and the other victims.  Investigators indicate that Lochte and the other victims identified as US swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, Jimmy Feigen were unable to provide “key details” about the robbery and that in fact there was “little evidence” that the robbery did indeed occur.  To complicate matter even more, although the victims claimed all their money and wallets were stolen, they were spotted later at the Olympic facility going through security checkpoint.  At that time apparently all four were seen placing their wallets and money into plastic bins going through X-ray.  Brazilian authorities have since order passports confiscated trying to prevent the athletes from leaving the country until the mater is resolved.

Why Victims May Lie

It is not unheard of for victims to withhold information or even outright lie about being victims.  The big questions is “why would they do so?”  There can be a multitude of reasons.  To get attention, for money, for revenge, to punish someone else in some way, to cover up their own inappropriate behavior or activities and many, many more.

“But why would someone lie about such an event and risk getting caught,” you may ask?  Liars tend to believe that they have worked out all the lies in their head and that they can successfully convince others to buy into the fabricated story.  “Just give me a chance to talk and I’ll convince you to believe me.”  Unfortunately for the liar, even the simplest and most rudimentary interviewing processes can uncover deception.

The Selfish Act of Lying

Remember lying ALWAYS benefits the liar first and foremost. 

Reading Lochte’s comments, I am struck by the remark he makes in light of the robbery report included the report

“I definitely want a family of my own, and I love kids. “There’s no doubt in my mind that’s the route I want to take.”

What Could Be Ryan Lochte’s Motive?

My thoughts are that one of possible reasons Lochte MAY have choosen to lie, is to cover some activity that he thinks may endanger his image or goal of having a family.  The comment he makes seems to be a little out of context with these events.  Of course there could many, many other possible reasons.  I suspicions are that Lochte’s cryptic remark” may be at the heart of the alleged ruse.

A Break in the Case

Time may tell about what REALLY happened during this reported robbery.  In any case and for whatever the reason, at this point it appears that Lochte,

Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, and  Jimmy Feigen.  It is just a matter of time before someone comes forward or somebody tells the truth.

Just my opinion… BUT we may never know the real answer. Maybe not for many years.

Stan B. Walters
“The Lie Guy®”