From Straight Arrow · · 1m 20s
Ex-olympian demands DOJ and Interior probe
Ex-olympian asks for watchdogs to investigate why he was falsely accused of vandalism.
In brief
Ex-olympian asks for watchdogs to investigate why he was falsely accused of vandalism. Olympic canoeist David Hearn was falsely accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and later dismissed from charges after his attorneys claimed political pressure led to the indictment. Originally reported by…
David Hearn's case
Olympic canoeist David Hearn was falsely accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and later dismissed from charges.
Attorneys request investigation
His attorneys want watchdogs at both the Justice and Interior departments to find out what really led to his indictment and dismissal.
Indictment details
A grand jury in Washington, D.C., indicted the three-time Olympian in July for causing more than $1,000 in damage by pulling up part of the pool’s newly installed blue liner.
Attorneys' claims
His attorneys called the government’s indictment a 'misuse of government power' and tried to shift responsibility for the damage to an ordinary American based on a false and politicized narrative.
Case dismissed
The case was dismissed a month after indictment, with Hearn pleading not guilty and his attorneys arguing the government was trying to hold him responsible for previously reported problems in its $16 million renovation.
Attorneys' criticism
His attorneys say Hearn was detained for five hours without Miranda rights, couldn’t make a phone call, and the indictment was shaped by political pressure and an inadequate investigation.
The takeaway
Olympic canoeist David Hearn was falsely accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and later dismissed from charges after his attorneys claimed political pressure led to the indictment.
