Justice Department Drops Case Against Olympic Canoeist Over Reflecting Pool Damage

The Justice Department has abandoned its case against a former Olympic canoeist, David “Davey” Hearn, linked to damage at the Reflecting Pool. The accusations have been retracted due to insufficient evidence.

A Justice Department filing, submitted Friday, revealed that new information has challenged the rationale behind indicting Hearn. These findings pertain to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s damage in June 2026, now attributed to a contractor’s poor installation, not vandalism.

A National Guard member patrols the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations and repairs were completed. Initially, prosecutors accused Hearn of causing more than $1,000 damage but later determined the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, was at fault.

The Interior Department provided further documents that contradicted initial claims against Hearn. After an extensive review, the Department found insufficient evidence to attribute the damages to vandalism.

Jeanine Pirro’s office, who heads the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, agreed to withdraw at least one of the three related misdemeanor cases. A spokesperson described the filing as self-explanatory.

Hearn maintains his innocence, arguing that the pool’s condition remained unchanged after he interacted with the water. His defense attorney, Steven Levin, criticized the government’s decision to charge Hearn as an overreach of power. Levin called for an apology from the federal government due to the mismanagement of the case.

As the story develops, more information is expected to be released.