Former Olympian’s Reflecting Pool charges dismissed as evidence points to faulty liner installation

David Hearn, a retired Olympic canoeist, had a felony indictment for damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool withdrawn after Interior Department records indicated the damage resulted from a contractor’s flawed liner installation. Federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss misdemeanor charges against three other defendants in the same case. Hearn’s counsel said the team is reviewing possible civil actions and other remedies. The developments have sparked debate within the Justice Department about the handling of the grand‑jury process.