A judge has fully dismissed the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn. The case, which accused Hearn of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., was dropped on Thursday. Federal prosecutors had previously decided to drop the charges, concluding that installation errors, not vandalism, caused the damage.
Judge Todd Edelman confirmed this in his dismissal order. “Within a month, the government recognized that its prosecution lacked merit,” the dismissal noted. Edelman clarified that the decision wasn’t due to a misidentification of Hearn, but rather because no crime was committed. He also expressed concerns about the potential for a politically motivated prosecution and dismissed the case with prejudice. This means the case is permanently closed and cannot be refiled.
Hearn’s legal team expressed relief, stating, “This case never should have been brought in the first place. This was a miscarriage of justice, and what happened to Mr. Hearn is an outrage.” They asserted that the prosecution was unjust and commended the decision for allowing Hearn to move on with his life.
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment but received none immediately. Attempts to reach Hearn were also unsuccessful, though he previously claimed he was “targeted” during his arrest in June.
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Renovation Project
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been undergoing renovations. President Donald Trump aimed to restore it to a cleaner state, applying a coating called “American flag blue” to combat recurring algae. However, algae quickly returned post-renovation, turning the water murky.
Controversy arose over a reported 300-foot gash in the pool’s liner. Authorities claimed vandals caused it. Hearn was detained in June after reportedly attempting to touch the pool’s peeling liner. He was accused of pulling up sections, with the government claiming damages exceeded $1,000. Initially charged with a felony, Hearn faced a potential 10-year sentence, though he denied the accusations.
With the dismissal, Hearn is shielded from further prosecution on these grounds. “Today’s dismissal with prejudice ensures that the DOJ cannot bring this case against him again,” stated his attorneys. They heralded the outcome as a triumph for justice and the rule of law.
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