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David Hearn's lawyers say DOJ knew Reflecting Pool case was flawed
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- The Justice Department moved to dismiss felony charges against former Olympian David Hearn, acknowledging new evidence that he was not responsible for damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's lining.
- Prosecutors attributed the damage to a contractor’s faulty installation and rushed completion efforts tied to the America 250 celebration, rather than vandalism by Hearn.
- Hearn’s defense argued the government ignored clear evidence of pre-existing defects and failed to investigate properly before indicting him, calling for a permanent dismissal to prevent case revival.
- The contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, had publicly acknowledged repair needs before Hearn’s indictment, and key prosecution witnesses could not link additional damages to Hearn’s actions.
- Despite the dismissal, former President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum maintain that vandalism occurred and defend the contractors, highlighting a rare instance of a Justice Department official opposing Trump’s stance.
