CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST OLYMPIAN IN REFLECTING POOL CASE

US prosecutors have dropped charges against David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, who had been accused of vandalising the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro filed court documents on Friday stating that the damage to the pool's blue liner resulted from "flawed installation by the contractor" rather than vandalism. Hearn had faced a potential 10-year prison sentence if convicted following his arrest last month. At least three other people were charged with vandalism in connection with the pool damage, and five more received citations from police.

The damage occurred following renovations to the pool undertaken as part of efforts to beautify Washington DC ahead of the nation's 250th independence anniversary on 4 July. Court filings indicate that the sealant applied during installation began peeling "almost immediately" after work was completed. A key grand jury witness testified that the pool was leaking significantly before Hearn's arrest. The Trump administration initially blamed vandals for the damage, with President Donald Trump stating it was caused by "sick, deranged" individuals, and claiming one person had used a blade to create "a 250 foot long gash".

Hearn's legal team has accused the Trump administration of abuse of power and stated it "owes Mr Hearn an apology". Hearn previously told the BBC that he "didn't destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part" of the paint in the pool. When asked by the BBC on Friday whether he plans legal action against the government over the charges and public accusations, Hearn declined to comment.