Former Olympian charged in Reflecting Pool vandalism case urges inspectors general to investigate prosecution

Published October 6, 2026 3:39pm ET | Updated October 6, 2026 3:39pm ET



Attorneys for former Olympian David Hearn are asking the inspectors general for the Department of Justice and the Interior Department to investigate what they view as an unjust prosecution.

Hearn faced a federal charge for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool until U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, whose jurisdiction rests in Washington, D.C., filed a motion to dismiss the indictment without prejudice. The case was permanently quashed last week when a D.C. Superior Court judge dismissed the indictment with prejudice, meaning the same charge cannot be refiled.

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.