Federal prosecutors have officially dropped the criminal case against former U.S. Olympian David “Davey” Hearn. They determined that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool resulted from faulty installation, not vandalism.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro filed a motion on Friday to dismiss the charge of felony destruction of government property. Newly obtained evidence revealed that the pool’s liner failure stemmed from installation defects, not intentional damage by Hearn.
Hearn, a U.S. Olympic canoeist on three occasions, faced indictment earlier this year. Authorities had accused him of damaging the blue liner of the Reflecting Pool during a visit to the National Mall in June. The government initially estimated the damage at more than $1,000, which would constitute a felony with a possible 10-year prison sentence.
From the outset, Hearn denied intentional wrongdoing. He described pausing during a bike ride, observing parts of the liner peeling, and handling a loose section without causing further harm. His legal team argued his innocence, highlighting issues from the pool’s renovation.
As the investigation continued, new findings showed the liner began separating before Hearn’s arrival. Court documents filed on Friday indicated the Reflecting Pool’s liner started peeling almost immediately after completion of rehabilitation work.
This dismissal reflects a significant turnaround from previous government allegations, effectively ending the case against Hearn. Attention now centers on the quality of the renovation and the installation process rather than any alleged vandalism.
The case garnered national attention due to Hearn’s Olympic status and the involvement of the iconic Lincoln Memorial. With prosecutors acknowledging construction defects, the criminal proceedings against Hearn have concluded.
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