In the US, charges of vandalism against an Olympian for damaging the Reflecting Pool have been dropped
Kyiv • UNN
US prosecutors have closed the case against Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool. It turned out that the damage was caused by improper installation under the supervision of the Department of the Interior.
American prosecutors have closed the case against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool in Washington. Court documents state that the damage was caused by improper installation. This was reported by the BBC, as conveyed by UNN.
Details
Canoeing champion David Hearn was arrested after, he says, he leaned down to touch the pool following a bike ride.
Instead, Hearn told the BBC that he "did not destroy, tear, rip, peel, or remove any part" of the paint in the pool. However, he faced up to 10 years in prison if found guilty after his arrest last month.
However, later, according to the publication, in a statement, Hearn's lawyers accused the Trump administration of abusing power and said it "owes an apology to Mr. Hearn." Specifically, the damage to the pool allegedly occurred due to "government errors that led to charges and false public accusations, he declined to comment."
President Donald Trump previously blamed the damage on "sick, crazy" vandals. But in a document filed by prosecutors in Washington, D.C., on Friday, it is stated that new information "strongly suggests that a hasty and botched installation" under the supervision of the U.S. Department of the Interior led to the damage.
According to the publication, in a document filed by U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro, contractors are accused of a rushed painting process as part of Trump's efforts to beautify the city ahead of the country's 250th anniversary of independence, which took place on July 4.
He (David Hearn - ed.) was not the only one. According to court records, at least three others were charged with vandalism. Five more were issued police warnings, a White House official told CBS News, the BBC's American partner. Among them was one person who, according to Trump, used a blade that "inflicted a 76-meter wound on the beautiful facade." It is unclear whether all charges have been dropped.
Recall
Donald Trump organized a 16-day mega-celebration program for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The celebration included the "Great American State Fair," "Patriot Games," "Freedom Plane," an UFC fight on White House grounds, and the largest fireworks display. The event took place against a backdrop of low levels of patriotic pride among Americans.