Lawyers in Reflecting Pool case say Justice Department knew case was flawed
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department knew or should have known for weeks that its case against a former Olympian…
The Justice Department knew or should have been aware weeks ago that its case against David Hearn, the former Olympian charged with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, was flawed, according to the defense lawyers. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro moved to dismiss the indictment on Friday, presenting a 20-page filing to the court.
The newly produced evidence from the Interior Department showed that the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, was responsible for the damage due to a botched installation and rushed completion before the America 250 celebration. Pirro's assertion that prosecutors only recently became aware of the flawed contracting work was contested by Hearn's legal team, who argued in a 28-page motion filed on Tuesday that the pool's condition was evident for weeks and was documented through photographs, videos, and news reports.
The contractor had already acknowledged needing repairs prior to Hearn's indictment, having been awarded a $14.7 million no-bid contract.
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