DOJ Moves to Dismiss Charges Against Former Olympian, Exposing Contractor Negligence in Reflecting Pool Damage
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Federal prosecutors have requested dismissal of felony charges against ex-Olympic canoeist David Hearn, revealing that the Reflecting Pool damage was actually the result of a contractor's shoddy work, not vandalism.
Federal prosecutors on Friday took a step toward justice by moving to dismiss an indictment against former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was wrongfully accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Justice Department, finally acknowledging the truth, cited new information that the damage was not the result of intentional vandalism but rather a 'botched installation' of sealant by a contractor—yet another example of corporate negligence going unchecked. The indictment, originally filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., had accused Hearn of causing over $1,000 in damage to the newly installed sealant, a project that was touted by the previous administration as a supposed achievement. Hearn consistently denied the baseless allegations. The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment, and both the Justice Department and Hearn's legal team failed to respond to requests for comment, leaving the public with more questions about accountability for the real culprits: negligent contractors and the officials who enabled them.