US prosecutors have dismissed vandalism charges against former Olympian David Hearn after concluding that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, was most likely caused by construction flaws rather than criminal acts.
The decision marks a sharp reversal in a case that had attracted national attention after President Donald Trump publicly blamed the damage on what he described as “sick, deranged” vandals. Hearn, a former champion canoeist, had faced up to 10 years in prison following his arrest last month.
Court documents filed on Friday by the US Attorney’s Office for Washington, DC, stated that newly obtained information showed the damage was “the result of flawed installation by the contractor” responsible for the recent refurbishment of the landmark.
Prosecutors said evidence from the US Department of the Interior indicated the problems stemmed from a rushed installation process carried out to complete the project before celebrations linked to America’s 250th Independence anniversary around July 4, 2026.
According to the filing, investigators initially believed the damage had been caused by vandalism. However, officials later discovered information suggesting that defects in the installation, rather than deliberate actions, were responsible for the peeling and damage to the pool’s protective coating.
The document also acknowledged that prosecutors were unaware of the contractor-related issues until additional records were provided by the Department of the Interior.
Hearn had consistently denied causing any damage. Speaking previously, he said he had only reached down to touch the Reflecting Pool after a bicycle ride and insisted he had not destroyed, torn or removed any part of the pool’s surface.
His lawyers welcomed the dismissal, accusing the Trump administration of abusing its authority and arguing that Hearn deserved a formal apology. When asked whether he planned to pursue legal action over the case, Hearn declined to comment.
Hearn was not the only person accused. Court records show at least three individuals faced vandalism charges, while five others received police citations after visiting the site. It remains unclear whether all of those cases have also been dismissed.
The Reflecting Pool underwent a multimillion-dollar restoration project earlier this year after years of structural problems and water leaks. The renovation included resealing and repainting the pool as part of a wider effort promoted by President Trump to improve the appearance of the nation’s capital ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Despite costing an estimated $16 million, the refurbished pool soon experienced problems. Algae continued to develop, while sections of the blue protective sealant reportedly began peeling within days of being applied.
According to reports, the project was awarded to a contractor selected without the usual competitive bidding process. Prosecutors said officials from the Department of the Interior failed to provide complete information during the early stages of the investigation, adding that the government would not have sought a grand jury indictment had the relevant details been disclosed sooner.
The Reflecting Pool has since been drained for the second time in three months and remains closed while further work is carried out.
