In a decisive victory for former Olympian David Hearn, a judge has permanently dismissed the vandalism case against him, ruling that the alleged damage to the $14 million Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation was a result of a botched installation, not Hearn’s actions. This ruling, made with prejudice, prevents the Department of Justice from refiling the charges, effectively ending a months-long legal battle that even drew criticism from President Trump. The court rejected prosecutors’ attempts to keep the possibility of recharging Hearn open, stating that the existing evidence pointed to a flawed renovation job by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which had rushed the work ahead of America 250 celebrations. Hearn’s defense argued the case should never have been brought, calling it a miscarriage of justice, while the judge concluded the government had no right to repeatedly wield prosecutorial power against Hearn given the circumstances. Hearn had been accused of damaging the pool’s lining by tugging on a loose section, but evidence later revealed the material was already peeling and had minimal value, stemming from overspray during the installation.
Adapted from: Latest Political News on Fox News
