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DOJ Moves to Dismiss Reflecting Pool Vandalism Charges Against David Hearn
Just the facts
Federal prosecutors had previously accused David Hearn of intentionally tearing a liner beneath the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following a $14 million renovation project. Hearn maintained that he had only touched the pool water out of curiosity during a visit to the National Mall. Following an internal review, prosecutors acknowledged that the liner damage resulted from a botched installation by contractors rather than intentional vandalism. The DOJ motion seeks to dismiss all felony charges against Hearn, concluding the criminal case against him.
Why this is news
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss criminal charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. Prosecutors determined that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was caused by contractor installation errors rather than deliberate vandalism.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.