Legal Team Seeks Probe into DOJ’s Indictment of Former Olympian

Attorneys for ex-U.S. Olympian David Hearn are calling for a federal inquiry into the Justice Department’s handling of his felony case. Despite being cleared of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Hearn faced a rapid indictment process. His legal team submitted a request to the inspectors general at the DOJ and Interior Department on Tuesday. They argue the investigation was flawed, claiming officials ignored critical evidence and charged Hearn under pressure from then-President Trump.

The appeal follows a decision by D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Eldeman, who permanently dismissed the case against Hearn. Eldeman labeled the indictment process “lightning-fast” and barred future charges on the same basis. He noted the “unique possibility” of political pressure from Trump influencing U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office to pursue the charges.

“In light of these findings and the government’s own admissions, a critical purpose of the requested investigations is to collect the facts — through witness interviews and the collection and analysis of electronic media and documents — necessary to hold accountable the individuals and groups who failed Mr. Hearn, the criminal justice system, and the public,” Hearn’s lawyers wrote in their letter.

Initially accused of felony property destruction in June, Hearn was charged after his arrest linked him to alleged damage to the Reflecting Pool’s new liner. However, Pirro dropped the charge weeks later. Evidence revealed Hearn was not responsible. Problems arose from issues with the pool’s renovation, aimed for completion before America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Hearn’s attorneys maintain that exonerating evidence was accessible well before the case was dropped. “The record reflects an indictment obtained through unusual haste and a prosecution shaped from the outset by political pressure and built on an inadequate investigation,” they stated.