Justice Department IG declines probe into mishandled Reflecting Pool case

The Justice Department's inspector general has declined to investigate the problematic criminal case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn involving alleged damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to NBC News.

Hearn's legal team had requested the inspector general reconsider, citing evidence of multiple potential criminal violations by DOJ personnel and possible joint crimes with the Department of Interior, NBC News reported.

The attorneys argued that the DOJ rushed to charge Hearn despite evidence suggesting he did not cause any harm or monetary loss by touching the pool, and they previously asked the watchdog to examine alleged incompetence and wrongdoing within the Justice Department.

The inspector general's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision to refuse the investigation, according to NBC News.