DOJ asks to dismiss Reflecting Pool vandalism charges, citing "botched installation"

Federal prosecutors are seeking to drop charges against former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The U.S. Attorney's Office in D.C. had charged Hearn with felony destruction of government property, alleging he caused more than $1,000 in damage to the sealant at the bottom of the pool.

However, new information has emerged suggesting the damage was not the result of intentional vandalism. Prosecutors cited a "botched installation" by a contractor as the likely cause of the damage to the recently applied sealant. This project was notably championed by former President Trump.

David Hearn has consistently and strongly denied the allegations. His legal team is expected to present this new information regarding the installation error as evidence to support his innocence. The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on the matter, and CBS News is awaiting responses from the Justice Department and Hearn's attorneys.

The incident initially drew attention as a potential act of vandalism against a prominent national monument. The shift in the investigation's focus, from alleged deliberate destruction to a contractor's error, significantly alters the case's trajectory and Hearn's potential liability.