US Justice Department to Drop Vandalism Charges Against Ex-Olympian Hearn

The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to drop criminal charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The government's decision stems from newly discovered information that points to a contractor's faulty installation and a hurried completion of the project as the cause of the damage.

In a court filing, government lawyers stated that the evidence makes it difficult to attribute the damage solely to vandalism or prove Hearn's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. "Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt," the filing read.

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Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hearn's legal team welcomed the move, asserting that the case was an "abuse of government power." They argued that the prosecution was unnecessary and that the administration owes Hearn an apology. Hearn himself had previously stated he was detained after examining the pool's coating and touching a detached piece.

The former Olympian, who competed in three Summer Games, had pleaded not guilty to the felony charge of property destruction. His supporters have suggested the prosecution was politically motivated. The charge carried a potential 10-year prison sentence.

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Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong. The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology.