Raskin launches probe into Pirro, Burgum after reversal on Reflecting Pool case

House Judiciary Committee Democrats launched a probe Tuesday into the charges brought — and later voluntarily dismissed — against a former Olympian over alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, questioning why U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro brought the flawed case.

The probe centers on the felony vandalism charges brought against David Hearn; Pirro initially said there was "tremendous evidence" that Hearn had ripped a piece of liner from the pool, causing more than $1,000 in damage to the sealant.

But in an about-face last month, she said "newly released documents" from the Department of the Interior indicated that "hasty and botched work" was the true culprit behind the damage.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), the top Democrat on the panel, sent letters to both Pirro and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum demanding communications between their offices and the White House along with all documents related to the case, including what was presented to the grand jury.

"How did this debacle happen? Why was Mr. Hearn charged with committing a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison when the government knew he was innocent? … Did the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) deliberately mislead prosecutors to cover up a 'botched' renovation by a company awarded a dubious $15 million insider no-bid contract?" Raskin wrote in a letter sent to both officials.

"The conclusion seems inescapable that at least one, if not both, of you have misled the American public about the evidence and used it to corrupt and weaponize our justice system against an innocent 67-year-old American citizen."

The probe is sure to increase scrutiny of Pirro, whom the president publicly criticized over dropping the charges. He said as recently as Friday she should "revisit her hastily made decision."

He also accused her of having "choked" and said she "folded like an umbrella."

Neither Pirro's nor Burgum's office immediately responded to requests for comment.

"Did President Trump pressure or influence either Department to retaliate against and scapegoat an American citizen?" he asked.

"At a minimum, it appears that members of the Trump Administration were ready and willing to imprison an innocent American for a decade in a desperate effort to soothe an ex-landlord's wounded ego about a terrible paint job and wasteful contract."