Federal prosecutors seek dismissal of Reflecting Pool case, citing contractor error
U.S. attorneys in Washington have moved to drop charges against former Olympian David Hearn, attributing damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to faulty installation rather than vandalism.
Federal prosecutors in Washington have filed a motion to dismiss the case against former Olympian David Hearn, arguing that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool resulted from a botched installation by the contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings, not from intentional vandalism. Hearn, 67, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of destroying property worth more than $1,000 after he touched the water out of curiosity last month.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said new documents from the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Park Police indicated the pool’s lining began peeling and algae proliferated after a $14-million renovation, suggesting the contractor rushed the work ahead of the America 250 celebrations.
"It was not until after the return of the indictment that the DOI provided additional documents ... indicating that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in June 2026 was the result of flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings (\"AIC\") and the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration," the filing read.
Hearn’s attorneys welcomed the development, stating that the government should apologize for bringing a case they described as unfounded.
"Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong," the statement said.
The Department of the Interior has not responded to requests for comment.