- Washington DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro dropped the charge against David Hearn without prejudice, allowing for the possibility of refiling the case.
- Hearn’s attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss with prejudice, asserting that the government owes him an apology and that the case should never have been brought.
- David Hearn is considering all options for legal recourse, which may include civil suits, bar referrals, sanctions, and congressional investigations.
- David Hearn was charged with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, but the case has been complicated by findings regarding the installation process.
- Prosecutors indicated that they received documents from the Interior Department showing a rushed and flawed installation process with repeated failures.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has dropped the vandalism case against David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, who was charged with damaging the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. The decision came after new evidence indicated that the damage was due to faulty installation by a contractor, not vandalism.145
Hearn, 67, was arrested on June 19 and faced a felony charge that could have led to a 10-year prison sentence and a $1,000 fine. His attorney, Steven Levin, stated that “all options are on the table” for legal recourse following the dismissal, which was attributed to a rushed and flawed installation process.6
In a court filing, Pirro noted that her office received documents from the federal Department of the Interior indicating repeated failures during the installation, leading to extensive peeling of the pool lining. The Trump administration had previously spent $14 million to renovate the reflecting pool, which was intended to be a centerpiece for the U.S. semiquincentennial celebrations.
The dismissal of charges has sparked controversy within the Trump administration, with the president criticizing Pirro for her decision. He stated, “I disagree 100% with [her],” and suggested that she may face repercussions for her actions. Hearn's legal team has called for an apology from the government, asserting that the case against him should never have been initiated.
Levin emphasized that they are seeking to dismiss the case with prejudice to prevent further harassment of Hearn by the government, stating, “Once that is resolved Mr. Hearn will focus on what comes next.”
“The charge was dropped without prejudice, leaving Hearn open to prosecution until his attorneys win a dismissal with prejudice. Attorney Steven Levin said potential remedies include civil suits, bar referrals for prosecutors, and investigations by Congress after a 20-page filing detailed a 'rushed and flawed installation process.'”
The Guardian
