U.S. prosecutors have dropped vandalism charges against former Olympian David Hearn after admitting that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was likely caused by faulty construction, not vandalism.
Court documents filed Friday say new evidence from the U.S. Department of the Interior shows the damage resulted from a rushed and poorly completed installation by a contractor before America 250 celebrations around Independence Day. Prosecutors said they were not given complete information when the case began.
Hearn, a champion canoeist, had faced up to 10 years in prison after being arrested last month. He maintained that he only touched the pool after a bike ride and did not damage it. His lawyers said the case should never have been filed and accused the Trump administration of abusing its power.
President Donald Trump had previously blamed “sick, deranged” vandals for the damage, while U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Hearn had deliberately harmed the pool. Prosecutors have now acknowledged the damage was caused by a botched repair project.
The Reflecting Pool underwent a $16-million resealing and painting project this spring, but the new coating began peeling within days. The pool has since been drained for a second time in three months while repairs continue.
