Attorneys for David Hearn, a former US Olympian cleared of vandalism charges, have asked government watchdogs to investigate the Trump administration's handling of the Reflecting Pool renovation and the prosecution against him. The lawyers allege incompetence and wrongdoing within the Interior and Justice Departments.
The demand for investigations into the Reflecting Pool renovation and Hearn's prosecution highlights potential political interference and mismanagement within federal agencies, raising questions about accountability and the use of the justice system for political ends.
Attorneys for David Hearn, a former US Olympian who was cleared of charges related to vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, are demanding that government watchdogs investigate the Trump administration's handling of the landmark's renovation and the prosecution against him.
In a letter submitted Tuesday, Hearn's lawyers urged the US Interior Department's inspector general to examine the flawed installation of a new liner at the bottom of the Reflecting Pool, which began in May. They also asked the US Justice Department's inspector general to investigate the case that accused Hearn of destruction of property, a case prosecutors dropped weeks after securing an indictment.
The prosecution of Hearn in July occurred as Trump blamed alleged vandals for algae blooms and peeling liner in the Reflecting Pool, despite evidence that mistakes by a government contractor hired by his administration caused the issues. The troubled renovation of the pool, which stretches about 2,000 feet along a portion of Washington's National Mall, became a political flashpoint.
Inspectors general act as independent oversight officials to look into potential abuse, waste, and fraud within US government agencies. The lawyers for Hearn alleged "incompetence and wrongdoing" in both the Justice Department and Interior Department. "Anything less than a full and fair review would be a betrayal of your mission," the lawyers wrote.
Federal prosecutors stated in court documents that they became aware of more pervasive problems with the renovation project only after Hearn had been indicted. Hearn was charged on July 2 with allegedly destroying a piece of the pool liner. The case quickly unraveled after prosecutors said documents from the Interior Department showed the damage was likely caused by a flawed installation by the contractor.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro moved to dismiss the case on July 31, drawing a furious reaction from Trump. A federal judge last week barred prosecutors from seeking new charges. The letter from Hearn's lawyers alleges that prosecutors had evidence of the installation flaws at the time Hearn was charged but proceeded with the prosecution anyway. It further alleges that Pirro improperly sought to question a defense expert who was inspecting the pool during a July 17 site visit. The lawyers urged the Justice Department's inspector general to examine political pressure from Pirro and Trump to bring vandalism cases.
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