- The Justice Department inspector general declined to investigate alleged misconduct in the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn.
- Hearn was charged and later cleared of intentionally damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during Donald Trump 's renovation project.
- Defense lawyers urged Inspector General Don R. Berthiaume to reconsider, warning that declining the review undermines public confidence in the department.
- Hearn's legal team alleges prosecutors ignored exculpatory evidence for weeks and rushed to indict under pressure from Donald Trump.
- Attorneys noted that referring the matter to the Office of Professional Responsibility lacks the independent public and congressional reporting of the inspector general.
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