DOJ seeks dismissal of charges against former Olympian over Reflecting Pool damage
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Federal prosecutors asked a judge to drop felony charges against ex-Olympic canoeist David Hearn, saying the Reflecting Pool damage resulted from a contractor's faulty installation rather than vandalism.
Federal prosecutors on Friday moved to dismiss an indictment that charged former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Justice Department cited new information indicating the damage was caused by a "botched installation" of sealant by a contractor, not by intentional vandalism. The indictment, filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., alleged Hearn had caused more than $1,000 in damage to the newly installed sealant, a project that was highlighted by the previous administration. Hearn denied the allegations. The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment, and requests for comment from the Justice Department and Hearn's legal team were unanswered.