The State Department on Thursday encouraged U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte to comply with a pending Brazilian request to return to Rio and testify about his debunked claim that he was robbed during the Olympics.

Spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters that the department had no specific comment about the case, but did say U.S. citizens are encouraged to comply.

"We've seen those reports as well. Due to privacy considerations, I don't have information to offer," she said.

"I would say, speaking broadly, we do encourage U.S. citizens as always to cooperate with law enforcement," Trudeau added.

When asked if privacy considerations apply even in the case of well-known public figures like Lochte, she said, "privacy considerations apply to every U.S. citizen."

Lochte and other U.S. swimmers initially claimed during the Olympics that they were robbed by armed thugs on the streets of Rio. But they later were seen in a surveillance video, drunk and fighting with security guards, and they later confessed.

Security guards did track down the swimmers and demanded cash, but as compensation for the damage the swimmers did to the gas station.

A police official told Fox News that if Lochte doesn't return to Brazil, he won't be allowed to strike a plea deal.