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Justice Department moves to drop case against ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool

Justice Department moves to drop case against ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool

The Justice Department has moved to dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
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Justice Department Drops Charges Against Ex-Olympian in Reflecting Pool Case

Justice Department Drops Charges Against Ex-Olympian in Reflecting Pool Case

The U.S. Justice Department has decided to drop charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. New evidence from the Interior Department suggests the damage was due to a contractor's error rather than vandalism. The case was initially presented as an act of vandalism, but recent inspections revealed widespread damage inconsistent with such claims. Hearn's legal team argued that the charges were unfounded and politically motivated, calling for an apology from the government.
AP News AP News
Justice Department drops criminal case against ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool

Justice Department drops criminal case against ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool

The Justice Department has moved to dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
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U.S. Justice Department Drops Charges Against Olympian Over Reflecting Pool Damage

U.S. Justice Department Drops Charges Against Olympian Over Reflecting Pool Damage

The U.S. Justice Department has decided to drop charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of causing damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The charges were dismissed after it was revealed that the damage was due to flawed work by a contractor, not vandalism by Hearn. The Department of Interior admitted that the damage resulted from a rushed and flawed installation process by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which was hired to refurbish the pool. The decision to drop the charges came after the U.S. Attorney's Office received documents indicating that the damage was not caused by Hearn, as initially represented.
USA Today USA Today
US drops charges against Olympian in Reflecting Pool damage, citing flawed work

US drops charges against Olympian in Reflecting Pool damage, citing flawed work

Justice officials announced they are dropping charges against a former Olympian after the Trump administration admitted the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool damage was caused by flawed work.
Reuters Reuters
US Justice Department says 'flawed' work led to Reflecting Pool peeling

US Justice Department says 'flawed' work led to Reflecting Pool peeling

By Kanishka Singh and Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON, July 31 (Reuters) - "Flawed installation" caused the liner of the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to peel, the Justice Department said in a court filing on Friday, as it dropped its case against a former U.S. Olympian.
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DOJ Dismisses Charges Against Former Olympian David Hearn Over Reflecting Pool Incident

DOJ Dismisses Charges Against Former Olympian David Hearn Over Reflecting Pool Incident

The Department of Justice has moved to dismiss charges against former U.S. Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The charges stemmed from an incident where Hearn allegedly damaged the pool, but he maintained that he only touched a piece of loose paint. The DOJ's decision to drop the case follows revelations that the damage was due to flawed installation by a contractor, rather than vandalism. This development comes after the Trump Administration's efforts to renovate the pool, which faced issues due to rushed and faulty work.
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DOJ Drops Charges Against David Hearn for Reflecting Pool Damage

DOJ Drops Charges Against David Hearn for Reflecting Pool Damage

The Department of Justice has moved to dismiss charges against former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. New evidence revealed that the damage was due to a 'botched installation' by a contractor, not vandalism. Hearn was initially charged with felony destruction of government property, accused of causing over $1,000 in damage to the pool's sealant. The project, which was part of a renovation effort championed by President Trump, faced issues with the sealant peeling off, which was initially attributed to vandalism.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Trump lied about the Reflecting Pool 'vandalism.' It matters | Opinion

Trump lied about the Reflecting Pool 'vandalism.' It matters | Opinion

Donald Trump insisted vandals damaged the Reflecting Pool repairs, said he had "evidence." Now the government is dropping charges with a new tune.
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U.S. Attorney Moves to Dismiss Case Against Olympian David Hearn Over Reflecting Pool Damage

U.S. Attorney Moves to Dismiss Case Against Olympian David Hearn Over Reflecting Pool Damage

Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., has moved to dismiss charges against U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial. The charges were based on allegations that Hearn damaged the pool's sealant, but new evidence suggests the damage was due to a 'flawed installation' by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings. The case had drawn attention due to its connection to a renovation project frequently touted by President Trump. Hearn's attorneys argued that he was made a scapegoat for the project's issues.
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Justice Department Drops Charges Against Former Olympian in Reflecting Pool Case

Justice Department Drops Charges Against Former Olympian in Reflecting Pool Case

The Department of Justice has decided to drop felony charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The decision follows new findings that the damage was due to flawed installation work rather than vandalism. The motion to dismiss was filed by D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who acknowledged that the initial indictment was based on incomplete information. Hearn, who had pleaded not guilty, was initially charged after being accused of pulling at the pool's liner during a visit to the National Mall. The DOJ's decision reflects a reassessment of the evidence, attributing the damage to poor workmanship by the contractor responsible for the pool's renovation.
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Reflecting Pool Vandalism Case Against Olympic Canoeist Dropped Due to Installation Errors

Reflecting Pool Vandalism Case Against Olympic Canoeist Dropped Due to Installation Errors

The case against David Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, has been dropped by federal prosecutors. The decision came after it was revealed that the damage to the pool was due to a botched installation rather than vandalism. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office filed a motion to dismiss the case, acknowledging that the evidence did not support the charges against Hearn. The Reflecting Pool, part of a $16.4 million renovation project, began showing signs of deterioration shortly after its reopening, with algae growth and peeling sealant. The legal filing blamed the Department of the Interior for providing misleading information that led to Hearn's indictment.