If Ryan Lochte hasn’t already picked up on the fact that actions have consequences, he will soon. His career could be in serious jeopardy following his indictment on charges of false reporting of a crime in Rio, an expert told HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. Read on for the full details.
“This could be the end of days for Ryan [Lochte]’s career,” crises manager and CEO of Reputation Management Consultants.com, Eric Schiffer, tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. “I think this has a grenade like affect on his bank account. Most advertisers are going to run for safety and drop him. Advertisers are not going to align themselves with a massive liar. It’s too dangerous for them. He could lose more than a million dollars in major endorsements. Olympians are not known to be massive liars and advertisers will view him like the Titanic.”
After the 32-year-old swimmer and his teammates, James Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger reportedly faked a story about being robbed at gunpoint while at a gas station in Rio, authorities officially indicted Ryan and James on the charge of false reporting of a crime on Aug. 18, according to ABC News. Gunnar and Jack, who had recounted their story, were not brought up on the charge.
The Brazilian police said in a press conference on Aug. 18 that the U.S. Olympic swimmers were not in fact robbed. Instead, police believe the group vandalized the gas station bathroom on the way back to the Olympic Village after leaving a party on the morning of Aug. 14. Mirrors and other things were damaged, and the swimmers reportedly refused to remain at the gas station after security asked their taxi not to leave, according to police. A translator allegedly intervened between the two groups, before the swimmers left behind money.
See photos of Ryan Lochte & Michael Phelps — SEE PICS
“There’s a strong possibility that [Ryan] may not be invited back to the Olympics,” Eric told us EXCLUSIVELY. Whoa. “This really could be life threatening to his career. In order to redeem himself, he has to come forward and tell the truth. He has to face the music and ask for forgiveness, and continue to swim at champion levels.” Now the question is, what will Ryan do next?
HollywoodLifers, how do you think this controversy will affect Ryan’s career? Let us know below!
