Judge blocks federal prosecutors from refiling charges in Reflecting Pool case

By: Jennifer Shutt

Outlets: DC Bureau (States Newsroom)

Published: October 1, 2026

Words: 293

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

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WASHINGTON — A D.C. Superior Court judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors cannot, for a second time, charge former Olympic canoeist David Hearn with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Judge Todd E. Edelman wrote in his ruling that “the observed damage to the Reflecting Pool was due to a contractor's ‘rushed and botched’ installation of the lining while conducting renovations, and Mr. Hearn's actions had no effect on the value of the Pool.”

U.S. Attorney for the …

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