The Justice Department has moved to dismiss its criminal case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who had been accused of deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. CNN contributor Scott Jennings said Hearn was owed an apology and should consider suing to restore his reputation, underscoring the consequences of bringing a serious allegation that prosecutors can no longer support.

Prosecutors said later evidence indicated the damage resulted from a contractor’s flawed installation and the rushed completion of the renovation, rather than vandalism by Hearn. Hearn, 67, had faced a felony property-destruction charge after the pool’s roughly $14.7 million refurbishment; he had pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence.