Lutai banned for alleged car theft, drunk driving

MOSCOW (AP)—Russian figure skater Andrei Lutai will miss the Winter Olympics after receiving a one-year ban for allegedly stealing a car in the United States and driving it while drunk.

Russian Figure Skating Federation chief Valentin Piseyev imposed the ban, saying Wednesday that Lutai’s suspension is for “violations of the training regime and ethical norms.”

Police in New York state said Lutai stole a car from a service station late Sunday and drove it for several minutes before officers pulled him over.

He was charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Lutai finished 10th at the Skate America.

The Vancouver Winter Olympics are in February.