Case Against Olympian David Hearn Dropped Over Reflecting Pool Incident

Federal prosecutors have dismissed the criminal case against former U.S. Olympian David “Davey” Hearn. They concluded that defects in the installation, not vandalism, caused damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for D.C., filed a motion on Friday to dismiss a felony charge of destruction of government property. She cited new evidence showing installation flaws led to the pool’s liner failure. Prosecutors no longer believe Hearn intentionally caused the damage.

Hearn, a three-time U.S. Olympic canoeist, faced indictment earlier this year. Authorities alleged he had interfered with the Reflecting Pool’s blue liner during a June visit to the National Mall. Initially, the government claimed the damage exceeded $1,000, warranting a felony charge with a possible 10-year prison sentence.

Hearn consistently denied any intentional damage. He stated that during a bike ride, he noticed the liner was already peeling and handled a loose section without causing more damage. His attorneys argued that he was wrongly blamed for existing issues from the pool’s renovation.

Investigators found evidence showing the liner started peeling before Hearn’s arrival. According to Friday’s filing, the court noted the liner began separating “almost immediately” after installation was completed.

The dismissal marks a significant shift from the initial allegations and ends the prosecution. The Reflecting Pool had recently undergone extensive rehabilitation. Still, reports of peeling and defects raised questions about the renovation quality. The latest filing changes the focus from Hearn to the construction and installation process.

The case gained national attention because of Hearn’s Olympic status and the involvement of the iconic memorial. With prosecutors recognizing construction defects as the cause, the criminal case concludes. Further updates will follow as this is a breaking news story.