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NATIONAL NEWS

Justice Department drops criminal case against ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool

Jul 31, 2026, 3:16 PM

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is seen from the Washington Monument, Friday, July 31, 2026, i...

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is seen from the Washington Monument, Friday, July 31, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

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BY ASSOCIATED PRESS


WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department moved Friday to dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Government lawyers said in a 20-page court filing that information provided since the indictment of David Hearn shows that the damage was the result of a “flawed installation by the contractor” as well as “the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026.”

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Justice Department drops criminal case against ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool