Vandalism Charges Dropped for Former Olympian David Hearn

WHO:

The Washington Post - David Hearn, a former U.S. Olympic canoeist

ABC News - Associate Judge Todd Edelman, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro

WHAT:

The Washington Post - A felony charge against David Hearn for vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was dismissed.

ABC News - The Justice Department moved to dismiss the criminal case against Hearn, acknowledging that the damage to the pool was due to "flawed installation by the contractor."

ABC News - Hearn pleaded not guilty to a felony destruction of property charge last month.

WHERE:

The Washington Post - Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

ABC News - The judge's order to dismiss the case was filed on Thursday.

ABC News - A hearing for oral argument will be scheduled after all submissions are made.

WHY:

ABC News - The Justice Department's motion to dismiss the case was based on new evidence indicating a "rushed and flawed installation process" that was discovered after Hearn's indictment.

ABC News - Hearn's attorneys argued for the indictment to be dismissed with prejudice, citing "exceptional facts and circumstances."

HOW:

ABC News - The judge has set a filing schedule for both parties and will hear further arguments before deciding on the dismissal with or without prejudice.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 05:37 UTC)

A felony charge against David Hearn, a former U.S. Olympic canoeist, for vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been dismissed after the Justice Department acknowledged that the damage was due to a flawed installation by the contractor. Hearn had pleaded not guilty to the felony destruction of property charge last month, and the judge's order to dismiss the case was filed on Thursday. A hearing for oral argument will be scheduled after all submissions are made, as the judge has set a filing schedule for both parties to present further arguments.