Attorneys for former Olympian David Hearn are urging federal watchdogs to conduct extensive investigations into his prosecution after a judge cleared him of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The attorneys have written a 21-page letter, obtained by Newsweek, requesting the inspectors general for the Departments of Justice and Interior to launch independent probes into Hearn’s arrest on June 19 and subsequent prosecution.
Hearn’s attorneys argue that due to actions by Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Interior (DOI) employees, Hearn faced wrongful incarceration and reputation damage. They named high-ranking officials, including United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and President Donald J. Trump, in connection with defaming Hearn’s name.
According to the attorneys, investigations should reveal the “shocking and indefensible treatment” of Hearn, resulting from a rushed renovation of the Reflecting Pool by federal agencies. They assert that Hearn was subjected to a wrongful arrest, indictment, and public defamation to cover up the flawed renovation efforts.
Judge Todd Edelman dismissed the criminal case, stating that the pool’s damage was due to installation flaws, not vandalism. Hearn’s attorneys wish for federal watchdogs to explore the circumstances around his arrest, the five-hour detention, and why officials pushed for an indictment despite evidence of poor installation. They also request inquiry into the preservation of crucial evidence and actions taken by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
The attorneys criticize the USAO-DC for charging Hearn despite clear evidence of the pool’s failure due to installation issues. According to the letter, officials misled the court about their awareness of these installation defects to conceal misconduct.
Pirro recommended dismissing the case after new evidence from the DOI exonerated Hearn. She acknowledged that the damage was caused by a contractor rushing to meet America’s celebration timeline in Washington.
The attorneys emphasize the importance of conducting precise investigations by the DOJ and DOI Offices of the Inspector General. These investigations are crucial due to the events surrounding Hearn’s prosecution and renovation of the Reflecting Pool.
Hearn expressed gratitude for the support from his loved ones, his community, his legal team, and the public. He emphasized the significance of standing up to power abuses for the sake of democracy and stated, “If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
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