Olympic canoeist David Hearn is demanding answers over how he wound up facing a felony charge and up to 10 years in prison for damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool that prosecutors later determined he did not cause.

Lawyers for the former Olympian David Hearn accused prosecutors of ignoring their own evidence to indict him and then providing “blatantly false” information about what they knew when.

Lawyers for the former Olympian David Hearn accused prosecutors of ignoring their own evidence to indict him and then providing “blatantly false” information about what they knew when.

Lawyers for former Olympian David Hearn call for probe into Reflecting Pool vandalism case, alleging “gross incompetence"

Attorneys for Olympic canoeist David Hearn asked the internal watchdogs at the Justice and Interior departments...

David Hearn is asking the Justice and Interior Dept. inspectors general to investigate his arrest and the dismissal of the case against him.

David Hearn is asking the Justice and Interior Dept. inspectors general to investigate his arrest and the dismissal of the case against him.

Lawyers for the former Olympian David Hearn accused prosecutors of ignoring their own evidence to indict him and then providing “blatantly false” information about what they knew when.

Lawyers for a former U.S. Olympian cleared of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool are asking federal watchdogs to investigate how the Justice Department built a felony case against him before prosecutors concluded he was not responsible. Attorneys for David Hearn on Tuesday sent a letter to the inspectors general at the DOJ and Interior...

WASHINGTON -- Lawyers for a former Olympian whom the Justice Department charged with intentionally damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, only to abruptly drop the case after determining he was not responsible, urged two government watchdogs on Tuesday to examine what they say was a flawed investigation and prosecution. The attorneys for David Hearn said in a letter to the inspectors general for the departments of Justice and Interior that “incompetence and misconduct" were committed by government officials operating under pressure from President Donald Trump, and that watchdog investigations were needed “to determine what happened inside their agencies that led to the shocking and indefensible treatment” of their client.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is under scrutiny for potential misconduct in a case involving the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Lawyers for three-time Olympian David Hearn, including former Justice Department Inspector General Michael Bromwich, have requested a watchdog probe into whether Pirro's office recalled a grand jury witness to 'manufacture' a felony charge against Hearn. The case began when Hearn touched a loose piece of the Reflecting Pool's new coating, leading to an indictment. However, Pirro's office later conceded that the damage was due to a botched installation, not Hearn's actions. The letter from Hearn's lawyers details that the sole damages witness initially testified that the pool already had substantial damage and that repairs would have been needed regardless. After being excused and recalled 21 minutes later, the witness changed his testimony to claim the damage would 'definitely be $1,000 or more,' the threshold for a felony. The lawyers argue that Pirro's office had prior documentation showing no damage tied to Hearn, yet sought an indictment the day after receiving a National Park Service assessment. The letter also criticizes Pirro for making public statements at a press conference vouching for government witnesses and declaring Hearn's conduct 'anarchy' and 'criminal behavior,' which may violate professional conduct rules. Additionally, Pirro was accused of improperly questioning a defense expert during an inspection. The case was dismissed with prejudice by D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman, who noted that the government had 'shot first and asked questions later.' The dismissal came after President Donald Trump criticized Pirro for 'choking' and 'folding like an umbrella,' prompting her to present evidence to him at the White House. The letter states that the government's actions were shaped by political pressure and an inadequate investigation, undermining the basis for the criminal charge. The Justice Department's inspector general has not yet responded to the request for an investigation.

via The Hill News — Lawyers for a former U.S. Olympian cleared of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool are asking federal watchdogs to investigate how the Justice Department built a felony case against him before prosecutors concluded he was not responsible. Attorneys for David Hearn on Tuesday sent a letter to the inspectors general at the DOJ and Interior…

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro faces calls for a watchdog probe into whether her office recalled a grand jury witness to "manufacture" a felony charge against an Olympian later cleared.Lawyers for three-...