NewzThe Justice Department moved Friday to dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying evidence prosecutors had recently received refuted the idea that vandals were to blame. government dismissed the felony indictment against David Hearn, the former Olympian accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool of the National Mall. Government lawyers said in a 20-page court filing that information provided since the indictment of David Hearn shows that the damage was the result of a "flawed installation by the contractor" as well as "the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026."
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department moved Friday to dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying evidence prosecutors had recently received refuted the idea that vandals were to blame. Government lawyers said in a 20-page court filing that additional documents provided by the Interior Department since the indictment of David Hearn show that the damage was the result of a botched installation by a contractor as well as “the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026.” In addition, a recent visual inspection revealed damage throughout the pool, including in the middle — where prosecutors say a vandal would not likely attempt to peel the lining. “Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt,” said the filing from U.S.
Hearn’s lawyers said in a statement that the case against him should never have been brought. “Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong. The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim.
Hearn an apology,” the lawyers said. The dismissal marks an embarrassing setback for a Justice Department that had billed the prosecution as a measure of accountability for damage at a Washington landmark discovered in the lead-up to Fourth of July festivities in the nation’s capital. But the case has long been saddled with evidentiary problems and challenges, with Hearn and his supporters characterizing the prosecution as a politically motivated attempt by the Trump administration to deflect blame and scapegoat others.
Earlier this week, Hearn’s lawyers sought access to grand jury transcripts because of what they said were “irregularities” in the process. They said a National Park Service official testified that the pool already was damaged before Hearn allegedly touched it, couldn’t quantify any damage attributable to Hearn and said the same repairs would have been required regardless of his conduct. “The witness’s testimony established that the pool had substantial preexisting damage requiring repair…
Attorney Jeanine Pirro, which asked a judge to formally dismiss the case. Trump, without providing evidence, has alleged the damage was caused by vandals. Hearn has for weeks maintained his innocence and his supporters have characterized the prosecution as a politically motivated attempt by the Trump administration to deflect blame and scapegoat others.
Summary from source