David Hearn reflecting pool case
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
US prosecutors dropped vandalism charges against three-time Olympian canoeist David Hearn over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
His lawyers now want misconduct probes, but the DOJ inspector general declined to investigate.
Background
David Hearn is a three-time Olympian canoeist who was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced his indictment, then weeks later dismissed the case, saying new information showed the damage came from a contractor's botched installation rather than vandalism. The episode drew national attention amid scrutiny of the pool's rushed renovation, and Hearn's lawyers have since pressed for investigations into how the case was handled.
How it unfolded
- Jul 2, 2026Pirro announced Hearn's indictment at a press conference, accusing him of ripping up a piece of the Reflecting Pool liner with his hands.
- Oct 6, 2026Hearn's lawyers asked the DOJ and Interior Department inspectors general to investigate his arrest, indictment and the dismissal of the felony destruction of property charge.
- Oct 16, 2026A report said Hearn won a ruling this month preventing any future prosecution of him over the Reflecting Pool.
- Oct 21, 2026In an Oct. 21 letter seen by CBS News, Hearn's lawyers said DOJ Inspector General Don Berthiaume found the misconduct allegations outside his purview and referred them to the Office of Professional Responsibility.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Pirro initially accused Hearn of ripping the pool liner, then dismissed the case after new information showed a contractor's botched installation caused the damage.
- Support
- Hearn's lawyers, including former DOJ Inspector General Michael Bromwich, say the handling points to potential crimes such as witness tampering and obstruction, and that the allegations fall squarely within the inspector general's traditional role.
- Caution
- Hearn's lawyers say the inspector general's declination means an investigation will simply not take place, and that OPR is no longer a fully functioning entity capable of rigorous oversight.
Still unverified
Hearn's lawyers allege potential crimes including witness tampering, subornation of perjury, obstruction of justice and criminal civil rights violations; the inspector general declined to investigate and referred the matter to OPR. They also wrote that a key grand jury witness first said the pool already needed repairs and could not estimate cost or attribute damage to Hearn, then after a 21-minute break testified the damage was "definitely" $1,000 or more.