9/15/2016 1:00 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
EXCLUSIVE
The real reason the Ryan Lochte protesters went to ‘DWTS‘ is because one of their family members got arrested in Rio, and for some reason they’re trying to blame Lochte for the mess.
We’ve learned Justin Sotoodeh McNeil — nephew and cousin of the 2 stage crashers — was busted 3 days after Lochte claimed he was held up at gunpoint. McNeil was allegedly selling fake tickets to a Team USA Beach Volleyball match … according to Brazilian reports.
Cops say he had 51 tickets and a fake ID. He was arrested and indicted for embezzlement and document forgery. He’s out now, but authorities are holding his passport until he meets a list of requirements … including paying a $264 fine.
Sources connected to the family tell us they think Lochtegate made Justin, and other Americans, a target for cops. We’re told they deny he did anything wrong.
Lochte’s team thinks it’s laughable the family’s blaming him, when Justin was busted for a felony — not to mention the 2 guys getting arrested this week at ‘Dancing.’
