# Justice watchdog skips Reflecting Pool case probe

> Lawyers say DOJ inspector general declined to investigate handling of former Olympian's cleared case involving Lincoln Memorial pool.
- Title: Justice watchdog skips Reflecting Pool case probe | Shortify
- Summary: Lawyers say DOJ inspector general declined to investigate handling of former Olympian's cleared case involving Lincoln Memorial pool. The Department of…
- Keywords: justice department, doj inspector general, david hearn, lincoln memorial reflecting pool, criminal case, alleged misconduct, former olympian, news, local, Justice, watchdog, skips
- Source: The Boston Globe — https://bostonglobe.com/2026/10/21/nation/reflecting-pool-case-watchdog
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: justice department, doj inspector general, david hearn, lincoln memorial reflecting pool, criminal case, alleged misconduct, former olympian, news, local
## Watchdog declines probe
The Department of Justice’s inspector general declined to investigate the handling of the criminal case against David Hearn, a former Olympian cleared of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
## Lawyers request investigation
Hearn’s lawyers asked for investigations by the inspectors general at the departments of Justice and Interior, citing incompetence and misconduct during the criminal investigation and prosecution.
## Alleged misconduct claims
Lawyers say prosecutors rushed to indict under pressure from President Donald Trump, who launched a massive renovation project of the Reflecting Pool for America’s 250th anniversary.
## Case dismissed
The Justice Department moved to dismiss the case last summer after new evidence showed David Hearn was not responsible for damage to the pool’s lining, and a judge permanently threw out the prosecution.
## Watchdog jurisdiction issue
The inspector general’s office said the allegations fall outside its jurisdiction and are within the purview of the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
## Consequence of decision
The watchdog’s refusal to investigate risks undermining public confidence in the Department’s ability to police its own conduct and could be seen as a betrayal of its mission.
## Key takeaway

The Department of Justice inspector general refused to investigate alleged misconduct in the criminal case against David Hearn, a former Olympian cleared of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.