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President Donald Trump had blamed “sick” vandals, and a former Olympian had been charged, but prosecutors now say contractors caused the damage.

Source: BBC.

Sid Wilson is officially out as Slipknot’s DJ and keyboardist … TMZ has learned. A source close to the band and with direct knowledge tells TMZ … Sid was notified late Friday afternoon that he’s been permanently kicked out of the band. It’s…

From TMZ.

From The Hill

Click in for more news from The Hill {beacon} Healthcare Healthcare   The Big Story Critics and allies chime in after Fauci hearing Former chief White House medical advisor Anthony Fauci’s ability to command public fixation is proving resilient this week as figures from media, sports and health all give their two scents on his recent Senate appearance. © Greg Nash…

Football’s world governing body abandons plans to sell off stakes in its major competitions after widespread opposition to president Gianni Infantino’s idea.

Source: BBC.

Football’s world governing body abandons plans to sell off stakes in its major competitions after widespread opposition to president Gianni Infantino’s idea.

Source: BBC.

The Department of Justice moved to drop felony charges Friday against former Olympian David Hearn after acknowledging that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was caused by a flawed installation rather than vandalism.

The motion to dismiss was filed by D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after prosecutors concluded that the damage attributed to Hearn stemmed from defects in the installation of the Reflecting Pool’s liner. The filing said information obtained after the indictment showed the damage was caused by “botched work” performed by the project’s contractor, not by criminal conduct.

Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, had pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of destruction of property after authorities alleged he damaged the iconic Reflecting Pool during a June visit to the National Mall. Prosecutors had accused him of pulling at the pool’s liner but acknowledged in the filing that it would be “difficult to attribute widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool.”

Hearn was arrested June 19 after stopping at the pool during a 50-mile bike ride to inspect the newly renovated landmark. He said he noticed a section of the pool’s blue liner had become partially detached and reached into the water to touch the loose material out of curiosity. Hearn was detained by National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police for several hours before being charged with destruction of government property.

The pool underwent a Trump administration renovation ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, but the project quickly drew scrutiny after problems emerged. Weeks after it reopened in early June, the pool was drained as photos showed the blue waterproof sealant peeling away, with pieces floating on the surface, while algae growth turned the water green. Workers have since drained the Reflecting Pool again.

The case against Hearn unraveled in recent weeks as defense attorneys challenged the evidence presented to a grand jury. Court filings cited testimony from a National Park Service official who said the pool had significant preexisting problems, including leaks and a torn liner, before Hearn ever touched it.

“The Trump administration’s case against Davey Hearn should never have been brought. Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong,” attorneys for Hearn said in a statement. “The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology.”

In Friday’s filing, prosecutors appeared to blame their indictment on incomplete information provided by the Department of Interior, and that later disclosures pointed to poor workmanship rather than vandalism.

The post DOJ moves to drop Reflecting Pool case against former Olympian appeared first on MS NOW.

From MS Now.

The move came after Europe’s governing body for football said it would boycott the World Cup over the plan.

Source: ABC News

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Friday he’s nixing a much-criticized plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors.

This post was originally published on NBC News.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino is in the eye of a storm after scrapping his attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup. If he goes, who comes in?

Source: BBC.

Christian Obumseli’s family has settled their lawsuit against the Miami apartment complex he and Courtney Clenney were living in when she fatally stabbed him … TMZ has learned. Christian’s family filed a wrongful death suit against One Paraiso…

From TMZ.

From The Hill

FIFA has scrapped plans to cash in on the popularity of the World Cup by selling a share of it to private equity as part of what it said earlier this week was a broader investment strategy, the federation said late Friday. The plan, which would have sought private investment to the tune of around $10 billion in exchange…

Ballistic experts say the dozens of tiny round punctures are tell-tale signs of pellet gun injuries.

Source: BBC.