- The Justice Department dropped the criminal case against former Olympian Davey Hearn on Friday, admitting that the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was due to a flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings.
- Hearn was initially charged with felony destruction of property in early July, accused of 'violently' ripping up part of the pool's liner.
- Following the indictment, the Interior Department provided documents indicating that the damage occurred due to the rush to complete the renovation before the America 250 events.
- In June 2026, damage occurred to the Reflecting Pool's sealant/liner, leading to the charges against Hearn.
- Hearn's attorneys claimed that the case against him was a politically motivated attempt by the Trump administration to deflect blame for the renovation issues.
The Justice Department's decision to dismiss the case against Davey Hearn follows revelations that the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was caused by a "flawed installation" by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings, rather than vandalism as initially claimed.12
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated in a court filing that the indictment was based on misleading evidence, noting that the Department of the Interior provided new documents indicating that the damage was a result of the rushed renovation ahead of the America 250 celebration in 2026.
Hearn, who was charged with felony destruction of property, had maintained his innocence, asserting that he merely touched the pool's coating during a bike ride. His attorneys condemned the prosecution as a politically motivated attempt to deflect blame from the Trump administration, which had touted the renovation.36
"The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology," they stated. The case's dismissal highlights the flaws in the renovation process, which cost $14 million and has been criticized for its execution.
Hearn, a former Olympian who competed in three Summer Games, faced a maximum sentence of 10 years if convicted. His trial was set to begin on September 28, but the recent developments have rendered the charges untenable.
“Prosecutors cited newly obtained Interior Department documents showing the June damage came from a 'flawed installation by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings' and the rush to finish before America 250 events around Independence Day 2026. Hearn's lawyers demanded an apology, saying the administration's 'ready, fire, aim' approach should never have brought the case.”
CNBC
