Federal prosecutors have moved to dismiss a felony vandalism case against former U.S. Olympian David Hearn. Hearn was indicted on July 2 for allegedly vandalizing the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., on June 19. U.S. Park Police claimed he caused over $1,000 in damage by tugging at a loose section of the pool's coating, despite being instructed to stop by a National Park Service employee.
However, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office stated that the Department of the Interior (DOI) initially provided inadequate reports and did not disclose records indicating that the damage was due to flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, rather than Hearn's actions. The DOJ noted that this new evidence made it challenging to prove Hearn's culpability beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutors have requested that the court dismiss the indictment without prejudice, allowing for the possibility of re-filing the charge in the future. Hearn has previously faced federal charges, which were dismissed in a separate incident nearly 30 years ago when he was arrested for whitewater canoeing in dangerous conditions on the Potomac River. His attorneys are calling for an apology from the government regarding the recent charges, stating that the case should not have been pursued.