DOJ watchdog declines investigation in Reflecting Pool case

The DOJ inspector general declined to investigate the handling of the case against David Hearn, a former Olympian accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The watchdog stated the allegations fall outside its jurisdiction, referring the matter to the Office of Professional Responsibility. Hearn's lawyers criticized this decision, claiming the referred unit lacks independence and was largely gutted, and they are now calling for an independent review of alleged misconduct by federal officials.