Judge Dismisses Charges Against David Hearn

A judge has completely dismissed the criminal case against David Hearn, a former Olympian, accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. This decision was made on Thursday, two months after federal prosecutors abandoned the case upon determining the damage was due to installation defects rather than vandalism.

Judge Todd Edelman referred to this conclusion in his order dismissing the case. “Within a month, the government recognized that its prosecution lacked merit,” the dismissal stated. “The decision was not because Mr. Hearn was incorrectly identified as the culprit, but because no crime occurred.”

Edelman emphasized that “due to the government’s minimal interest in maintaining the likelihood of future prosecution, and the substantial risk of Mr. Hearn facing an unfounded, politically motivated prosecution,” the court dismissed the case with prejudice. This ensures a permanent dismissal, preventing the case from being refiled with the same claims.

Hearn’s legal team voiced their sentiment, stating, “This case should never have been initiated. This injustice against Mr. Hearn is an outrage that should concern every American.” The attorneys highlighted the protection today’s decision provides Mr. Hearn, allowing him to continue his life uninterrupted.

Attempts to communicate with the White House for comments were made on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, inquiries to reach Hearn, who previously told Newsweek he felt “targeted” during his June arrest, were unsuccessful.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Renovation Project

Renovations at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have been underway. President Donald Trump aimed to restore the pool to a cleaner, more visually appealing state, including applying “American flag blue” coating and tackling persistent algae issues.

The project faced challenges, as algae quickly reappeared, discoloring the water despite efforts to counteract it. Additionally, Trump alleged vandalism caused a significant gash in the pool liner, emerging as a central issue in the renovation saga.

In June, Hearn was detained by National Guard and Park Police after he reached into the pool to touch the peeling liner. Authorities accused him of damaging the liner, estimating the damage exceeded $1,000, leading to a felony charge threatening up to ten years of imprisonment, which he consistently denied.

Next Steps: With the dismissal granted with prejudice, this bars the case from being brought against Hearn again. “Today’s dismissal with prejudice prevents the DOJ from reinitiating this case against him,” Hearn’s attorneys stated. “This decision marks a victory for justice and the rule of law, affirming Hearn’s innocence.”