U.S. Olympic swimmer James Feigen to pay $11,000 to leave Brazil

U.S. swimmer Jimmy Feigen to pay $11,000 to leave Brazil — (Image credit: Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Three of the four U.S. Olympic swimmers caught up in a controversy about an alleged robbery are back in the U.S., but the fourth, Jimmy Feigen, has been stuck in Brazil, his passport seized by Brazilian authorities who accuse him and Ryan Lochte, Gunnar Bentz, and Jack Conger of lying about being held up at gunpoint. Early Friday, Feigen's lawyer, Breno Melaragno, said that Feigen will be allowed to leave the country, but only after he donates 35,000 Brazilian reals ($10,800) to an "institution." In Brazil, The Associated Press reports, "institution" can mean a charity. Melaragno said just that under Brazilian law, people can make donations to avoid criminal prosecution for minor offenses. It's not clear what charges were being considered against Feigen.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.