Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte, embroiled in controversy over a disputed robbery in Rio de Janeiro, is working with crisis PR counseler Matthew Hiltzik.
Hiltzik has taken on high-profile crisis assignments for Justin Bieber and football player Ray Rice and Manti Te'o.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported Hiltzik's representation of Lochte.
The bizarre turn of events in the robbery tale led to an apology by the US Olympic Committee Thursday after claims by Lochte and three other swimmers that they were robbed at gunpoint were contested by Brazilian authorities.
Lochte, who gave a detailed account of an alleged armed robbery to NBC, could face charges in Brazil over the flap. Authorities in the country say Lochte and others fabricated the story and vandalized a gas station.
NBC's Bob Costas noted Lochte may have cost himself millions of dollars in endorsements with the scandal.
Lochte apologized via social media on Aug. 19 "for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning and for my role in taking the focus away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics."
Lochte said he waited to apologize "until it was confirmed that the legal situation was addressed and it was clear that my teammates would be arriving home safely."
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