Justice Dept. drops Reflecting Pool charges, admits 'hasty and botched' renovation

The U.S. Justice Department has moved to dismiss criminal charges against former Olympian David Hearn, acknowledging that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was the result of "flawed installation" and a hurried renovation, rather than vandalism. Prosecutors stated in a recent court filing that new information, including documents from the Department of the Interior, indicates the peeling sealant was due to the contractor's errors and a rushed timeline to complete the project before the America 250 celebration.

Hearn, a 67-year-old former U.S. Olympic canoeist, had been accused of felony destruction of government property after being seen touching the pool's lining. He had consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was simply examining material that was already peeling. His legal team has criticized the government's approach, asserting that the case against Hearn should never have been initiated and that he is owed an apology for the "abuse of government power."

This decision marks a significant shift from initial claims, including those from President Trump, who had attributed the damage to vandals following the over $10 million renovation of the Reflecting Pool. The Justice Department ultimately concluded it would be difficult to prove vandalism beyond a reasonable doubt given the widespread nature of the damage throughout the pool.