Overview
- A judge granted prosecutors’ request to dismiss the felony indictment against David Hearn and will hold a hearing next month to decide whether the dismissal should bar future prosecution.
- Prosecutors say records produced after the indictment showed widespread liner failures tied to Atlantic Industrial Coatings’ rushed work, citing overspray, delaminating seams, altered liner material and clogged or buried circulation pipes found in forensic inspections.
- The Department of the Interior initially gave what prosecutors call 'barebones' reports before later producing documents that shifted the investigation toward installation problems rather than clear vandalism.
- President Trump has publicly pressed prosecutors to reopen the matter and cited a National Park Service employee’s account that an individual allegedly 'violently' pulled at the lining, and news reports say the Justice Department is exploring whether new charges could be brought.
- David Hearn’s lawyers say they submitted pre‑contact photos showing he did no damage and are reviewing legal claims over what they call continued harassment while lawmakers prepare oversight inquiries into the no‑bid $14–16 million renovation and agency disclosures.