Prosecutors Admit ‘Botched Installation’ Damaged D.C. Reflecting Pool

On Friday, July 31, prosecutors from the Trump administration moved to dismiss the felony case against U.S. Olympian David Hearn, admitting that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was due to a ‘botched installation’ and not vandalism.

David Hearn, 67, was indicted by a federal grand jury early in July on accusations that he purposefully ripped up a piece of the recently-installed blue sealant from the pool’s bottom. President Donald Trump claimed the pool, which cost nearly $15 million to renovate, had been damaged by Hearn and other vandals.

However, in a court filing on Friday evening, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said she had been misled by the Interior Department into believing ‘nearly all of the damage’ was done by vandals. In charging Hearn, Pirro had said she had ‘tremendous evidence’ that he committed a felony that could have landed him in prison for 10 years.

But in a surprising turn of events, Pirro admitted that the ‘botched renovation’ was the result of a flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, and the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration.

In a statement, Hearn’s attorneys said, ‘The Trump administration’s case against Davey Hearn should have never been brought.’ They added, ‘Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong.’

The attorneys also stated, ‘The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology.’

The Interior Department’s contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, was responsible for the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The company’s flawed installation and rushed completion of the project led to the damage of the pool.

The incident raises questions about the accountability of government contractors and the consequences of their actions. The case also highlights the importance of proper installation and maintenance of public infrastructure.

As the investigation continues, it is clear that the truth behind the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was far from the original accusations. The dismissal of the case against David Hearn is a significant development in this story and serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the protection of individual rights.

Further investigation into the matter is required to determine the full extent of the damage and the responsibility of those involved. The incident also underscores the need for transparency and accountability in government contracting and the maintenance of public infrastructure.