Justice Department IG refuses to investigate botched Reflecting Pool case after Trump’s false vandalism claims

The Justice Department's inspector general has refused to investigate the botched case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was charged with vandalism after damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The decision comes after Hearn's legal team claimed that prosecutors made false vandalism claims against him.

The incident occurred in 2019, when Hearn allegedly damaged the Reflecting Pool's fountain and surrounding area. He was subsequently charged with felony vandalism and faced up to five years in prison if convicted.

However, Hearn's lawyers argue that the prosecution's case was flawed and that their client was unfairly targeted. Hearn's legal team claims that the prosecution's evidence was based on false information and that the case was mishandled from the start.

They also argue that the Justice Department's inspector general should investigate the handling of the case, including whether there was any criminality on the part of prosecutors. The Justice Department's inspector general is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct within the department.

However, in this case, they have refused to launch an investigation, citing a lack of evidence. Hearn's lawyers are now seeking a federal judge's intervention to force the inspector general to investigate the case.

The decision not to investigate the case has been met with criticism from Hearn's supporters, who argue that the Justice Department is not taking adequate action to ensure that justice is served. Hearn's lawyers are also seeking to have the charges against their client dropped.

The case highlights the challenges of investigating high-profile cases, particularly those involving government officials. The Justice Department's inspector general is often called upon to investigate allegations of misconduct, but their decisions can be influenced by a range of factors, including politics and resource constraints.