Federal prosecutors have dropped charges against three individuals in the reflecting pool case following new evidence pointing to a botched installation rather than vandalism.

The U.S. Justice Department has moved to dismiss charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, stating that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was the result of a botched installation.

The Reflecting Pool sits empty as the administration manages rising renovation costs, a pending historic-preservation lawsuit, and conflicting vandalism claims.

David Hearn entered a not-guilty plea after being charged with property destruction at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The case follows a renovation project that has faced technical issues and multiple arrests.